Butane
"Butane (C4H10) is a colorless, flammable hydrocarbon that is present natural gas and can be obtained when petroleum is refined. Butane is a gaseous alkane. It is extremely stable, has no corrosive action to metal, slightly soluble in water and readily soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform."
"Butane is typically used in the manufacture in the following areas
- Aviation fuels and organic chemicals,
- As fuel for cigarette lighters and portable stoves,
- A raw material for synthetic rubber and high octane liquid fluids,
- Manufacture of ethylene and solvent, propellant in aerosols,
- A calibration gas for temperature and pressure gauges and as a heating fuel.
- Butane is also added to gasoline in order to increase its volatility (evaporation rate) in cold climates.
- Recent concerns about the destruction of the ozone layer by freon gases has led to an increase use of isobutene gas in refrigerating systems."
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