Butane — what is it?
Butane is a complex chemical substance that is more than twice as heavy as air. One cubic meter (1 m³) of butane weighs 2.703 kg.
Its molecular formula is C₄H₁₀, meaning that a butane molecule consists of four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms.
Its autoignition temperature ranges from 490°C to 569°C.
The heat of combustion for 1 kg of butane is 46,000 kJ (10,929 kcal).
The heat of combustion for 1 m³ of butane is 118,000 kJ (28,338 kcal).
The boiling point of liquid butane is 0.5°C.
Natural gas contains only a negligible amount of butane. However, in gases found in oil and gas fields, the combined content of butane and propane can reach up to 36%.
