butano

Butano, also known as butane, is a saturated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C4H10. It exists in two structural isomers: n-butane and isobutane (methylpropane). Butane is a component of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and is commonly produced during natural gas processing and the refining of crude oil. It is found in natural gas and many LPG mixtures used for heating, cooking, and fuel applications.

Physically, butane is a gas at room temperature and standard pressure, but it can be compressed into a liquid under modest pressure, which enables convenient storage in portable cylinders. The boiling point of n-butane is around −0.5 °C, while isobutane boils at about −11.7 °C. Vapors are heavier than air and can travel along surfaces to ignition sources; the gas forms flammable mixtures with air over a wide concentration range, with a typical lower and upper flammable limit in the atmosphere.

In industry, butane serves as a fuel for domestic and portable applications such as lighters, camping stoves, and portable heaters, and as a propellant in various aerosols. It is also used as a feedstock in petrochemical processes to produce olefins and other chemicals. Isobutane is widely used as a refrigerant in some household appliances under the designation R600a, reflecting its suitability for modern, low-GWP cooling systems.

Safety and handling details emphasize that butane is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. Cylinders should be stored upright in well-ventilated areas away from heat sources and ignition points, with leak detection and proper ventilation in place to mitigate risk.