Propane

Propane is a chemical compound from alkanes category; an acyclic saturated hydrocarbon with a chain of three carbon atoms linked by simple bonds, with chemical formula C3H8 and belongs to the group of products LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). It is a gas at ambient temperature and at a certain pressure can be transported in liquid form. This gas can be obtained after the extraction of natural gas and petroleum refining.

Propane is used mostly for heating, ensuring necessary vaporization even at temperatures down to – 42 ℃. This temperature is the boiling point of propane. At temperatures below – 42 ℃ propane transforms from gas to liquid.

It is used in the following areas:

• fuel for cars / trucks
• replaces traditional natural gas from pipelines used for cooking and household heating
• in industry – as a source of heat, at dryers, propelling agent, physical blowing agent, welding, refrigeration
• petrochemical – raw material for propylene production through dehydrogenation process, from which it is produced later polypropylene (plastic)

Physical and thermodynamic properties of propane