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Butane: Difference between revisions
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== Properties == | == Properties == | ||
Butane is one of the alkane series with four carbons, a colorless and odorless gas. Therefore, it shares many properties with other alkanes. There is a tendency among alkanes that heavier alkane tends to be in liquid phase while lighter alkane tends to be in gas phase. Since the boiling point of butane is below 0°C, most time butane exists in gaseous phase. However some change of condition in pressure can let butane gas be butane liquid. This property of butane allows it to be a commonly used fuel. | |||
Like other alkanes, under the condition of existence of abundant oxygen, butane can easily react with oxygen to form water and carbon dioxide. In lack of oxygen, butane might produce carbon monoxide. | |||
== Occurrences == | == Occurrences == | ||
[[Image:example.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Description]] | [[Image:example.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Description]] | ||
There are two ways to obtain butane. One is by the separation of raw natural gas, the other is by refining crude oil. However, the second option only gives small amount of butane gas. | |||
== Uses == | |||
Thanks to its properties, butane is an ideal compound to be a portable fuel in our lives. When butane gas is compressed (high pressure), butane gas quickly changes to liquid. By compressing butane gas into a metal bottle or a small container, a camping fuel or a candle lighter is made. | |||
Butane gas is used as a fuel source in another way. When butane gas and propane gas is combined, they produce LPG (Liquid Propane Gas). While propane carries more energy, butane gives portability with its property – being liquefied easily. And this LPG gas does not pollute the air by producing carbon monoxide or any acidic product like a coal; it is used widely as a semi-green fuel source. | |||
Besides fuel source, butane is also used in other fields. Pure butane gas can substitute Freon gas as a refrigerant, which has been destroying the ozone layer. | |||
