What Is Butane And What Is It Used For?

More people these days are becoming curious about LPG and the potential benefits that it can offer. As there is an ongoing move towards seeking out fuels that are more eco-friendly, it isn’t too surprising that more people are keen to find out more about bottled gas that doesn’t harm the ozone layer.  Butane is one such gas, so let’s look more closely at it, and what it can be used for.

What Is Butane?

First discovered by Edward Frankland, a chemist, in 1849, butane is a type of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as an LPG. It has a boiling point of -2°C which makes it perfect for use indoors and as a fuel for portable heaters. Odourless, colourless, and highly flammable, butane is in its gaseous form under normal atmospheric conditions. However, to use it as a fuel, it must be liquefied. It goes through a pressurisation process to turn it into a liquid before putting it into butane gas bottles for storage.

Is Butane Environmentally Friendly?

Butane doesn’t harm the ozone layer as it isn’t a greenhouse gas. As a result, it’s a more environmentally friendly choice than many other fuel options. Not only is it an eco-friendlier fuel, it’s also an ideal substitute for harmful CFCs in refrigeration applications. Furthermore, it can be used instead of petrol to reduce pollution and the damaging effect that it has on our ozone layer. It’s lower carbon footprint makes it an excellent choice for use in today’s increasingly eco-conscious world.

Is Butane A Safe Gas?

When butane is used correctly using appropriate equipment like high-quality butane gas bottles, it’s perfectly safe to use as a fuel. However, like any fuel, when used incorrectly, it can pose a hazard.

If butane is burned in an environment without sufficient oxygen, carbon monoxide can form. This gas is toxic making it dangerous to inhale. Inhaling butane can result in unpleasant side effects, while contact with liquid butane or pressurised butane from an aerosol can result in frostbite. It’s also important to remember that butane is highly flammable, so it must be kept away from fire and prolonged heat exposure.

Nevertheless, as long as users exercise caution and use butane correctly, it will present no problems.

What Is Butane Used For?

There are many common uses for butane thanks to its versatility.

One common use for butane today is as a refrigerant. In the past, methane was used in refrigerators to keep them cold. However, scientists eventually discovered that this gas was harming the environment. They therefore, made the switch to butane gas which works extremely well to create cold temperatures.

Another common use of butane is in aerosols. Butane is an effective propellant. The gas is put under extreme pressure to liquefy it before being stored in the aerosol can. When the aerosol is activated, the liquefied gas vapour produces sufficient pressure to force out the product.

Butane is a common lighter fuel too. It only requires a low vapour pressure, so it can be put inside a small vessel, such as a lighter, with no concerns about it being hazardous. Once the valve releases the pressure, the liquid in the lighter turns rapidly into a flammable gas.

The most common use for butane is as a fuel for barbecues and portable grills, the ideal gas cylinder for use is the Campingaz 907 bottle. It’s a popular choice amongst campers thanks to the portability of campingaz bottles.  Butane gas is also most ideal for fuelling portable gas heaters as an alternative to mains gas.  Butane lights immediately, and is able to rapidly reach maximum heat output, making it an extremely easy fuel to use as well as highly cost-effective. 

What Are The Advantages Of Using Butane Gas?

Butane gas offers a host of benefits for users. Firstly, it’s extremely easy to use, and its burns rapidly and effectively. Butane lights instantly, and when compared with propane it burns around 12% more energy, making it a more efficient source of energy, not to mention a cost-effective choice. Butane is relatively clean-burning too, only producing CO2 when it’s lit, and as it’s an environmentally friendly choice, it can help you do your bit to reduce your carbon footprint.

Butane is an efficient choice for use during warm weather, but it’s important to be aware that it won’t flow if the weather turns cold. Butane can only become a gas when the temperature is above   -1°C, so it can’t be used outdoors during the colder months of the year. In such cases, propane gas is a suitable alternative.

As butane gas comes in a wide range of gas bottle sizes, it’s ideal for use for many commercial and domestic purposes. innergy stocks an impressive variety of butane gas bottles at unbeatable prices, and thanks to our customer delight guarantee, we’re confident that you’ll be happy with our exemplary service. Contact us now and find out how we can meet your needs.