What is butane gas?
Butane is a hydrocarbon and a
highly flammable gas that is odorless, colorless, and easily liquefied.[1]
Butane is a form of liquefied petroleum gas, known by the chemical formula (C₄H₁₀), and is usually kept in
airtight cylinders, and has many important uses in our daily lives.[2]
Butane gas was
discovered by the chemist Edward Frankland in 1849 AD, and butane maintains its
gaseous state when placed at room temperature, and at normal atmospheric
pressure values, and in the event the temperature drops below -1 degree Celsius
or increases atmospheric pressure values, It goes into a liquid state.[3]
The product of butane combustion
with sufficient amounts of oxygen is carbon dioxide and water vapor, while in
the absence of sufficient amounts of oxygen, the product of combustion is toxic
and dangerous carbon monoxide.[3]
Butane gas uses
Butane gas has many important uses
in our daily life, and here are some of these uses: [3]
1. Butane gas is used in some craft projects such as
glass industry, plumbing and heat-requiring works.
2. Butane gas is used in cooking and barbecue work.
3. Butane gas is a component of liquefied petroleum gas,
where propane gas and butane gas are combined to obtain liquefied petroleum
gas, which is used in the manufacture of petrochemicals.
4. It is used in refrigeration in refrigerators as a pure
and environmentally friendly alternative, instead of methane, which is harmful
to the ozone layer, and gasoline is added to butane gas to improve its
performance in the cooling process.
5. Butane gas is used in lighters, and this depends on
the properties of butane related to pressure, so liberating it from a liquid
state to a gaseous state can be easily achieved, through small lighter packages.
6. Butane gas is used in the calibration of gas detectors
and other equipment used in the detection of gases.[4]
Butane gas storage and transportation
Butane gas is transported by
various means of land, sea or air transportation, and given the danger of
butane gas as a result of its extreme flammability, and its harmful effects on
human health if inhaled, it is necessary to observe public safety standards
greatly during its storage and transportation and to follow the correct and
necessary procedures in In the event of a gas leak [4]
It should also be taken into
account to store butane gas in a dark and hermetically closed area, away from
heat, flames, sparks or hot surfaces, and it must be stored in well-ventilated
and cool places away from any consuming foods or drinks. [4]
Butane gas damage
Butane gas is one of the most
harmful volatile substances when inhaled, as inhalation of butane gas can lead
to death, as a result of cardiac arrhythmia, or cardiac arrest if inhaled
during or after great physical exertion. It is also possible for butane gas to
reach the larynx directly and cause laryngeal spasm, thus preventing air from
reaching the lungs, which leads to death due to suffocation. [1]
Butane gas features
Butane gas has many advantages
that made it one of the most prevalent sources of energy in our daily lives,
including the following: [5]
· Low cost: With the
great developments that accompanied oil extraction and refining, the cost of
owning butane gas has become somewhat low, and within the reach of citizens.
· Energy-saving: Butane gas is energy-saving, which is directly reflected in the
ability to save money, compared to other means of obtaining energy.
· EASY TO CARRY: Butane is a fairly lightweight gas, which makes it a convenient option
when you're on the go.
· Environmentally friendly: Butane gas, despite its health risks, is considered an environmentally
friendly gas.
· Easy to use: Butane
gas is easy to use, compared to other fuels, and butane works quickly, reaching
maximum temperatures, within a relatively short time, which saves time and
effort.
Butane gas health hazards
Butane is known as a colorless,
flammable, rest gas, and is used in industrial products; Like cigarette packages,
and aerosol aerosols, it is also considered a central nervous system depressant
that slows brain activity and mental responses. Another danger of butane gas is
its flammability, as this property can cause the gas to ignite by heat, spark
or flame, and it explodes when exposed to air. It results in deep burns that
sometimes lead to the death of the person.
Butane gas side effects on health
The effects caused by butane gas
vary according to the dose, and the following are the side effects of inhaling
butane gas:[6]
1. Immediate side effects
Immediate side effects of inhaling
butane include:
1. Aggressive behaviour.
2. Anesthesia.
3. Possible loss of consciousness.
4. Short-term memory loss.
5. Unclear.
6. Loss of coordination.
7. Confusion.
8. convulsions and seizures;
9. hallucinations;
2. Long-term effects
The long-term effects of inhaling
butane include:
1. Chronic headache.
2. Sinusitis.
3. Lack of muscle coordination.
4. dizziness;
5. Shortness of breath.
6. nosebleeds;
7. Chronic or recurrent cough.
8. Depression.
9. Anxiety.
10. Tinnitus (noise in the ears or head).
Addiction and death
Intentionally inhaling butane gas
can cause sudden death syndrome, a heart condition in which a person suffers
from an irregular heartbeat caused by a person feeling excited, dazed, or
participating in any sudden physical activity after inhaling butane, and the
following are other causes of death resulting from inhaling butane. :[6]
· Choking due to vomiting.
· Choking and inability to breathe.
· Swelling at the back of the throat.
Safety rules to avoid the dangers of butane gas
Butane gas is considered a type of
toxic gas, which must be treated with caution, and the following are the most
important rules to be followed when dealing with it:[7]
1. Avoid inhaling butane when used in cooking, heating,
and lighting.
2. Keep packages containing butane away from various heat
sources.
3. Store butane in well-ventilated places out of direct
sunlight and food and drink.
4. Allow cigarette lighters and cans containing butane to
cool before refilling them.
5. Use only approved cans for storing butane gas.
6. Secure butane storage cans when transporting to avoid
exploding.
7. Use goggles and protective gloves when using butane in
manufacturing processes.
8. Avoid putting out a butane fire until the gas source
is turned off.
9. Wash or discard clothing after handling butane gas.
The difference between butane gas and propane
Both propane and butane are common
gases nowadays; They are used for industrial and domestic purposes to operate
stoves, ovens, and car engines, and some may think that these two gases are
similar because they have many similar characteristics, but there are some
differences between them, which are as follows:[8]
1. Properties
The molar mass of propane is about
44 g/mol, and it is in the gaseous state at room temperature. It can also be
compressed to make portable liquid propane. Because of its low boiling point of
about -42 degrees Celsius, liquid propane can be easily vaporized; Once the lid
of the propane container is opened, the liquid propane will immediately be
converted into a gas that can be burned for energy.[9]
The complete
combustion of propane results in carbon dioxide, water vapor, and thermal
energy, but the lack of sufficient oxygen will lead to incomplete combustion
and the formation of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbon soot, and water
vapor, and the thermal energy resulting from combustion is not Complete
combustion is less than that obtained by complete combustion.[9]
Butane is in the gaseous state at
room temperature, and the molar mass of butane is about 58.12 g / mol. Butane
is a colorless gas with an odor similar to gasoline, and its boiling point is
about -1 ° C, and it is considered one of the highly flammable gases that It
can be easily burned at room temperature.[9]
2. Composition
The two gases differ from each
other in terms of formula or molecular structure; Butane is an alkane
consisting of four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms and its chemical formula
is C3H8, while propane is an alkane made up of three carbon atoms and eight
hydrogen atoms, and its chemical formula is C4H10. for heating homes.[8]
3. Uses
Although propane and butane are
similar in their properties, they each have specific uses; The boiling point of
propane is low, which makes it suitable for outdoor storage, so it is commonly
used in central heating, cooking, transportation, and commercial operations. It
can also be used in recreational activities during the summer months while
camping, in stoves and for barbecue purposes, and in cigarette lighters, and it
is considered lighter than propane, by about 12%.[8][10]
Propane is suitable for use in
harsh climates because it has a lower boiling point than butane, and can burn
easily at freezing temperatures. Butane is less expensive than propane, and it
is also more energy efficient; It produces more energy per unit of fuel when
burned.[8]
References
1. "Butane", mhc, Retrieved 11/1/2022.
Edited.
2. "Everything you need to know about Butane", calor, Retrieved 11/1/2022. Edited.
3. "POPULAR USES FOR BUTANE GAS",
adamsgas, Retrieved 11/1/2022. Edited.
4. "Butane
Calibration Gas: 3 things to know",
semagases, Retrieved 11/1/2022. Edited.
5. "Know
all about Butane Gas Canister for your Camping Stove", adventuregears,
Retrieved 11/1/2022. Edited."
6. BUTANE",
cameochemicals.noaa, Retrieved 11/1/2022. Edited.
7. "Best
Safety Practices When Handling Butane", butanesource, 19/9/2014,
Retrieved 11/1/2022. Edited.
8. "Difference Between Propane and Butane", www.differencebetween.net, Retrieved 18/4/2022. Edited.
9. "Difference
Between Propane and Butane",
pediaa.com, Retrieved 18/4/2022. Edited.
10. "Propane
vs Butane – what’s the difference?", www.flogas.co.uk, Retrieved
18/4/2022. Edited.
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