One of the most common, and useful types of natural gas is propane C3H8, or propane, is a gas that has a lot of energy. Like water, propane has more then one form.Because propane has a liquid form as well as its gaseous form, it is very easy to transport. Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid then it is as a gas. If the colonists could set up a pipeline system, they could transport propane all over Arda, and have a high-quality energy source that they could use. One of propane’s main uses is to provide heat. Assuming that the colonists would be doing a lot of farming when they are getting started, propane could be their main heat source.The one potentially big problem with propane is that, if all the colonists had was natural gas, it could be hard to separate the propane. A natural gas processing plant would be required to separate the propane, and although it would be a very useful thing to have, it could be hard for the colonists to build.

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Methane and Biogas

A type of gas that would be easier to obtain is methane. Methane, like propane is a part of natural gas, and actually over 50% of natural gas is methane. The chemical formula for methane is CH4. Wherever once-living materials decay, like in a swamp, burning forest, or landfills, methane is released. The principle use of methane is as a fuel. The combustion of methane:
CH₄(g) +  2O₂(g) --->CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(l), is used directly to heat homes, and in generating power. What makes methane interesting for the colonists, is that methane can be produced from the manure of livestock. What makes the manure special is that it contains a portion of volatile solids, which are fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that that can be used in the reproduction of anaerobic bacteria.

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