General Description:

The hydrocarbon butane consists of four carbons and ten hydrogens. Classified as an alkane, or paraffin, hydrogen saturates the carbon atoms via covalent single bonds. Derived from the Latin term parum affinis, meaning "little affinity" for other compounds, paraffins are known for their stability and resistance to reactivity. Alkanes such as butane are non polar, thus insoluble in polar solvents such as water.

Alkanes may be separated into fractions via distillation. The lowest boiling point (3-4 carbons) is used as fuel in cigarette lighters and barbecues. Gasoline follows in the next distillation fraction (5-11 Carbons), next kerosene and jet fuel (9-16 carbons), then diesel fuel (15-25 carbons), and the highest boiling point fractionation provides lubricants and greases (26+ carbons). The greater the branching of a hydrocarbon chain, the greater the stability of the molecule and the higher the boiling point. A colorless, odorless, nontoxic, yet flammable gas, ethane is a constituent of natural gas and petroleum (75% Methane, 25% Ethane, Propane, and Butane). These "fossil fuels" were formed through the decomposition of organic matter over thousands of years and today provide a major energy source. Large amounts of the element may also be located in the atmospheres of Saturn and Jupiter.
 

Properties:
 

Pressure, psia	14.7	100	500
Temperature, F	60	200	300
Compressibility, (Z)	0.9686	0.8993	0.6094
Enthalpy, Btu/lb (h)	132.6	187.3	208.4
Entropy, Btu/lb-R (s)	1.1804	1.2117	1.1987
Specific Heat, Btu/mol-R(Cp)	0.3981	0.5058	0.7926
k, (Cp/Cv)	1.09	1.0724	1.0450
Sonic velocity, ft/sec	680	712	545
Specific volume, ft3/lb	6.32	1.1	0.171
Dynamic viscosity, lb/ft-sec	5.169E-06	6.703E-06	1.099E-06

 

Sources:

1) Gas Flex, Flexware, Inc., Grapeville, PA, USA
2) Organic Chemistry, Paula Yurkanis Bruice, University of California, Prentice Hall, NJ, 1998
3) General Chemistry, Darrell D. Ebbing, Wayne State University, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996
 
 

For more Information:
Please contact your nearest Flexware, Inc. Office or Distributor

sales@flexwareinc.com

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