Properties of High purity N-butane
High purity N-butane is a colorless, flammable, non-toxic gas with a chemical formula of C4H10. It belongs to the alkane class of compounds, has 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms, and a straight chain molecular structure. At normal temperature and pressure, n-butane is gaseous, but it can be liquefied into liquid with a little pressure. This gas has a boiling point of -0.5℃, a melting point of -138.3℃, a low critical temperature (152℃) and a critical pressure (37.96 bar), which is convenient for industrial storage and transportation. The relative density of n-butane is 2.48, indicating that it is heavier than air and will gather in low-lying areas, so special attention should be paid to ventilation when using and storing it.
Uses of High purity N-butane
N-butane has a wide range of applications in industry and daily life. N-butane is an important raw material for the manufacture of isobutylene and MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether). MTBE is mainly used as a gasoline additive to increase the octane number of gasoline, thereby improving its anti-knock performance. High purity N-butane is also used as a refrigerant, solvent and aerosol propellant. In organic chemistry, n-butane is also an intermediate in the production of a variety of compounds, such as ethylene, propylene and butadiene. These compounds play a key role in the production of plastics, synthetic rubber and other chemical products.
Storage method of high purity N-butane
N-butane is a gas at normal temperature and pressure, but it can be liquefied under high pressure or low temperature conditions. Liquid n-butane is easy to store and transport. N-butane is usually stored in cylinders or tank trucks, and its design meets the safety standards of pressure vessels, and is usually required to have high pressure resistance, explosion resistance, and corrosion resistance. During storage, the temperature and pressure must be strictly controlled to avoid excessive pressure and low temperature, and to prevent container rupture or liquefied gas leakage. To ensure safety, the storage area should be equipped with ventilation facilities and fire-fighting equipment to prevent the accumulation of n-butane gas and cause explosions. Regular inspection of the sealing and safety of storage equipment is also an important measure to prevent accidents.
Safety and environmental impact of High purity N-butane
Although n-butane itself is non-toxic, its flammability and accumulation in the air make it dangerous during use and storage. N-butane leakage is very likely to cause fire and explosion, so it must be equipped with complete safety facilities, such as firewalls, leakage alarm devices and fire extinguishing equipment. The combustion of n-butane generates carbon dioxide and water vapor, which has little impact on the environment, but large-scale emissions still aggravate the greenhouse effect. In order to reduce environmental impact, leakage should be avoided during use and storage, and effective recycling measures should be taken to improve resource utilization.