1. What is Methane Density Conversion?

Definition: This calculator converts the density of methane gas from kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) to pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³).

Purpose: It helps engineers, chemists, and energy professionals work with methane density measurements in different unit systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \rho \) — Density in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³)
• \( \rho_{kg/m³} \) — Density in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)
• 0.062428 — Conversion factor from kg/m³ to lb/ft³

Explanation: The conversion factor accounts for both mass (1 kg = 2.20462 lb) and volume (1 m³ = 35.3147 ft³) unit conversions.

3. Importance of Methane Density

Details: Methane (CH₄) is the primary component of natural gas. Knowing its density is crucial for storage, transportation, and energy calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the methane density in kg/m³ (default is 0.717 kg/m³ at standard conditions). The value must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the density of methane at STP?
A: At standard temperature and pressure (STP), methane has a density of ~0.717 kg/m³ or ~0.045 lb/ft³.

Q2: Why convert between these units?
A: Different industries use different measurement systems - metric (kg/m³) in most countries and imperial (lb/ft³) in the US.

Q3: How does temperature affect methane density?
A: Density decreases as temperature increases (at constant pressure) according to the ideal gas law.

Q4: What's the conversion factor for other gases?
A: The same conversion factor (0.062428) works for any substance when converting kg/m³ to lb/ft³.

Q5: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The mathematical conversion is exact, but actual gas density varies with temperature, pressure, and purity.