Liquefied petroleum gases isobutane

In 1987 nonmotor fuel uses of butanes represented ca 16% of the total consumption. Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is a mixture of butane and propane, typically in a ratio of 60 40 butane—propane however, the butane content can vary from 100 to 50% and less (see Liquefied petroleum gas). LPG is consumed as fuel in engines and in home, commercial, and industrial appHcations. Increasing amounts of LPG and butanes are used as feedstocks for substitute natural gas (SNG) plants (see Fuels, synthetic). / -Butane, propane, and isobutane are used alone or in mixture as hydrocarbon propellents in aerosols (qv). 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas The term liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is applied to certain specific hydrocarbons which can be liquefied under moderate pressure at normal temperatures but are gaseous under normal atmospheric conditions. The chief constituents of LPG are propane, propylene, butane, butylene, and isobutane. LPG produced in the separation of heavier hydrocarbons from natural gas is mainly of the paraffinic (saturated) series. LPG derived from oil-refinery gas may contain varying low amounts of olefinic (unsaturated) hydrocamons. 

Synonyms tert-Butane Caswell No. 503A 1,1-Dimethylethane EINECS 200-857-2 EPA pesticide chemical code 097101 Isobutane Liquefied petroleum gas R 600A Trimethylmethane UN 1075 UN 1969. 

The demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG consisting of propanes and butanes) is projected to increase rapidly in future years.(1) World consumption is dominated by the United States and Japan. Processing of natural gas accounts for the bulk of domestic LPG however, natural gas production has leveled off forcing the LPG industry to examine other feedstock sources. Japan must look to other countries for future LPG supplies due to environmental and space limitations. An allied problem, especially in the United States, is the continuing need for isobutane to produce valuable alkylates for the gasoline pool. 

Isobutane occurs in petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum cracking products. It is used as a fuel gas or a liquefied petroleum gas. It is also used in organic synthesis. 

The lighter hydrocarbons, such as propane, isobutane, butane, and the corresponding olefins, removed from natural gasoline and refinery gases, are widely used as so-called bottle gas (Table 3-5). The enormous growth of the liquefied petroleum gas (L.P.G.) industry is indicated in Table 22-1. 

The liquefied petroleum gases are butane, isobutane, propane, propylene (propene), butylenes (butenes) and any mixtures of these hydrocarbons in the generally accepted definition of NFPA [1]. The gases are also denoted by the terms LP-gas or LPG. They are flammable, colorless, noncorrosive, and nontoxic. These gases are easily liquefied under pressure at ambient temperature, and are shipped and stored as liquids. They are largely used in gaseous and liquid form as fuels in many diverse applications. 

---