What percentages of methane in a methane air mixture, when burned or exploded, will produce relatively large amounts of Carbon Monoxide?

In a methane-air mixture, the production of carbon monoxide upon combustion is influenced by the concentration of methane present. When methane is burned in an environment where there is insufficient oxygen, which can occur within certain percentage ranges, incomplete combustion results in the formation of carbon monoxide.

The range of 10-15% methane in the air mixture is critical because at this level, there is an ideal balance between methane and oxygen. If the methane concentration exceeds this range, the oxygen may become insufficient for complete combustion, leading to the production of carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide.

At concentrations below 10%, there is generally enough oxygen available to allow for more complete combustion, reducing the likelihood of carbon monoxide formation. Conversely, as levels exceed 15%, the mixture becomes richer in methane, which can also lead to incomplete combustion depending on the available oxygen. Therefore, it's in this 10-15% range where you are more likely to see relatively large amounts of carbon monoxide produced due to insufficient oxygen for complete combustion.

Understanding these concepts is essential for safety and environmental considerations, especially in contexts where methane is involved in combustion processes, such as in industrial settings or areas prone to natural gas leaks.