The natural gas that is commonly piped into American homes is primarily composed of methane (CH4), which typically makes up around 90% or more of the gas mixture. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and is a potent greenhouse gas. However, natural gas also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons like ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), and trace amounts of other gases such as nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
The specific composition of natural gas can vary depending on the source and the region where it is extracted. Some natural gas deposits may have higher concentrations of certain hydrocarbons or impurities compared to others. However, methane remains the primary component, and the other hydrocarbons and impurities are usually present in relatively low concentrations.
It's worth noting that the composition of natural gas used in other countries may vary due to different sources and extraction methods. Therefore, the precise composition of natural gas piped into homes can vary, but methane is always the predominant component.