[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties and uses of n-butane, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, and the role of n-butane

n-Butane Properties

Butane (n-Butane) is a colorless, flammable, non-toxic gas, chemical formula C4H10. It belongs to the alkane compound, has 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms, the molecular structure is linear. At normal temperature and pressure, n-butane is gaseous, but can be liquefied to a liquid state at a slightly increased pressure. This gas has a boiling point of -0.5°C and a melting point of -138.3°C, and has a low critical temperature (152°C) and critical pressure (37.96 bar), making it easy to store and transport in industry. The relative density of n-butane is 2.48, indicating that it is heavier than air and will accumulate in low-lying places, so special attention should be paid to ventilation during use and storage.

n-Butane use

n-Butane is widely used in industry and daily life. It is one of the important components of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and is widely used as a fuel for households and businesses. Butane is an important raw material for the production of isobutylene and MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether). MTBE is mainly used as a gasoline additive to increase the octane number of gasoline, thereby improving its anti-knock performance. n-Butane is also used as a refrigerant, solvent and aerosol propellant. In organic chemistry, n-butane is also an intermediate in the production of a variety of compounds, such as ethylene, propylene and butadiene. These compounds play a key role in the production of plastics, synthetic rubber and other chemical products.

n-Butane Upstream Feedstock

The production of n-butane mainly depends on the extraction and processing of oil and natural gas. Upstream raw materials include natural gas condensate and liquefied petroleum gas, which can be extracted from n-butane through fractionation and cracking processes. Gas processing plants and refineries are the main sources of n-butane supply. In the process of oil refining, n-butane can be effectively extracted by liquefied gas Recovery unit (LPG separation unit). The by-products in the ethylene cracker also contain n-butane, and high-purity n-butane can be obtained by distillation separation. With the advancement of natural gas extraction technology and the increase in demand for liquefied gas, the supply capacity of n-butane is also increasing.

n-Butane downstream products

Butane is an important raw material for the production of a variety of chemicals, and its downstream products include isobutylene, MTBE, butadiene, etc. Isobutylene is an important monomer in the production of synthetic rubber and plastics, and is widely used in the manufacture of tires, seals and various plastic products. As a high-octane gasoline additive, MTBE can effectively improve the combustion performance of gasoline, reduce engine knock, improve combustion efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions. Butadiene is the basic raw material of synthetic rubber, which is used to produce rubber products such as tires, hoses, and soles. n-Butane can also be used as liquefied gas fuel, refrigerant and aerosol propellant, the expansion of these applications to its increasing market demand.

Butane storage method

Butane is gaseous at room temperature and pressure, but can be liquefied under high pressure or low temperature conditions, and liquid n-butane is easy to store and transport. The storage of n-butane generally uses steel cylinders or tankers, and its design needs to meet the safety standards of pressure vessels, and usually requires high pressure resistance, explosion-proof, and corrosion resistance. During storage, the temperature and pressure must be strictly controlled to avoid excessive pressure and low temperature to prevent container rupture or liquefied gas leakage. In order to ensure safety, it is also necessary to provide ventilation facilities and fire protection equipment in the storage area to prevent the accumulation of n-butane gas from causing an explosion. Regularly checking the tightness and safety of storage equipment is also an important measure to prevent accidents.

n-Butane safety and environmental impact

Although n-butane itself is non-toxic, its flammability and accumulation characteristics in the air make it a certain risk during use and storage. The leakage of n-butane is easy to cause fire and explosion, so it must be equipped with perfect safety facilities, such as firewall, leakage alarm device and fire extinguishing equipment. The combustion of n-butane will produce carbon dioxide and water vapor, which has a small impact on the environment, but a large number of emissions will still aggravate the greenhouse effect. In order to reduce environmental impact, leakage should be avoided as much as possible during use and storage, and effective recovery and utilization measures should be taken to improve resource utilization.

Conclusion

As an important industrial raw material and fuel, n-butane is widely used in chemical industry. Its upstream mainly comes from the processing of oil and natural gas, and its downstream products cover a variety of fields such as fuels, chemical intermediates and additives. Proper storage and safety management are essential for the use of n-butane, which can not only ensure the safety of production, but also reduce the impact on the environment. With the advancement of technology and the expansion of application fields, the market demand for n-butane will continue to grow, and its position in the chemical industry will continue to improve.