[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of isobutane, what is the meaning of isobutane.

Isobutane Properties

Isobutane (Isobutane), chemical formula C4H10, is a colorless and odorless gas, which belongs to alkanes. The molecular structure of isobutane is an isomer of n-butane, showing different physical and chemical properties. It has a molecular weight of 58.12g/mol, a melting point of -159.6°C and a boiling point of -11.7°C. At normal temperature and pressure, isobutane is gaseous, but it can be liquefied under high pressure or low temperature conditions. Isobutane has a density of 2.51kg/m³ and is practically insoluble in water. It is highly flammable, with a flash point of -83°C and an explosive limit ranging from 1.8 to 8.4 percent.

Isobutane use

Isobutane has a wide range of industrial uses. It is an important raw material for the manufacture of butyl rubber, which is widely used in tires, pipes and cables. Isobutane is also a key component in the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an additive used in gasoline to increase the octane number of gasoline, thereby improving engine performance and reducing exhaust emissions. Isobutane is also used as a refrigerant (R600a) to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in household appliances such as refrigerators. In the laboratory, isobutane is often used as a solvent or reagent in organic synthesis reactions.

Isobutane upstream and downstream feedstocks

Isobutane is usually produced as a by-product of natural gas or petroleum refining. Natural gas is rich in ethane, propane and butane, and high purity isobutane can be obtained through separation and purification. Another method is to produce mixed alkanes through catalytic cracking or hydrocracking in the oil refining process, and then obtain isobutane through further separation and distillation. Upstream raw materials mainly include natural gas, naphtha, etc. The downstream products of isobutane include butyl rubber, MTBE and a variety of chemical intermediates.

Isobutane production process

There are two main industrial production processes for isobutane: natural gas liquefaction separation and petroleum refining by-products purification. Natural gas liquefaction separation is by reducing the temperature and increasing the pressure, the components of natural gas are liquefied and separated, and isobutane with higher purity is obtained. The purification of by-products of petroleum refining uses a catalytic cracking unit to crack heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbons, including isobutane, which are separated by a distillation tower. These two processes have their own advantages. The former is suitable for areas rich in natural gas resources, while the latter is matched with petroleum refineries to make full use of existing resources.

Isobutane storage method

Isobutane is gaseous at room temperature and requires special storage methods to ensure safe and effective use. A common storage method is to store it in a pressure vessel after it is liquefied under high pressure. Because isobutane is flammable and explosive, storage facilities must strictly comply with safety regulations to avoid high temperatures, fire sources and electric sparks. The material of the storage tank is usually carbon steel or stainless steel with corrosion resistance and pressure resistance. The storage area should be equipped with fire alarm and fire suppression system, and regular inspection and maintenance should be carried out. Liquefied isobutane storage tanks also need to be equipped with safety valves to prevent hazards due to high pressure.

Isobutane transportation mode

Isobutane is generally transported in liquefied form through dedicated tankers, tankers or pipelines. Tankers and tankers must meet the standards for the transportation of hazardous chemicals and have the functions of explosion-proof, leakage prevention and pressure regulation. Pipeline transportation requires pipeline materials to be pressure-resistant and corrosion-resistant, and equipped with pressure monitoring and leak detection systems. During transportation, temperature and pressure must be strictly controlled to prevent accidental leakage and explosion. In order to ensure the safety of transportation, all operators need to receive professional training, and strictly abide by the operating procedures.

Safety and environmental impact

Although isobutane is an important industrial raw material, its flammable and explosive nature also brings safety risks. Improper operation during production, storage and transportation may cause fire or explosion. The leakage of isobutane will have a certain impact on the environment. Although it will decompose quickly in the atmosphere, it still needs to avoid a large amount of emissions. To this end, countries have formulated strict safety and environmental regulations for the production and use of isobutane, such as regular inspection of equipment, installation of monitoring instruments, and formulation of emergency plans to reduce risks and environmental impacts.

Market Prospects

With the global demand for environmental protection and energy efficiency, the demand for isobutane is increasing. Especially in refrigerants and high octane fuel additives, isobutane has a promising market. The increased demand for environmentally friendly refrigerants represented by R600a will further promote the development of the isobutane market. As a chemical raw material, isobutane has a wide range of downstream products and stable market demand. The accelerated industrialization of emerging economies will also drive the growth of isobutane demand.

Conclusion

As an important alkane chemical raw material, isobutane has a wide range of applications and good market prospects. Its production relies on natural gas and oil refining by-products, and storage and transportation require strict security measures. As the global requirements for environmental protection and energy efficiency increase, the application field of isobutane will continue to expand, and the market demand is expected to continue to grow. Under the premise of ensuring safety and environmental protection, the isobutane industry will usher in more development opportunities.