Product Introduction & Main Application
Arnico supplies Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a mixture and as its pure constituents: Propane (C₃H₈), n-Butane (C₄H₁₀), and Isobutane (C₄H₁₀). These light hydrocarbons are gaseous at ambient pressure but liquefy under moderate pressure for easy storage and transport. They serve as clean, high-efficiency fuels for domestic heating, cooking, and transport, and as critical petrochemical feedstocks for olefin cracking and as propellants and blowing agents in the polymer and aerosol industries.
2. Technical Specifications
| Technical Parameter | Commercial Propane (C3) | Commercial Butane (C4) | LPG Mixture (60/40) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Propane Content | ≥ 95 | ≤ 10 | 40 – 60 | mol% |
| Butanes (n-But + i-But) | ≤ 5 | ≥ 90 | 40 – 60 | mol% |
| Total Olefins | ≤ 0.5 | ≤ 1.0 | ≤ 0.5 | mol% |
| Total Sulfur | ≤ 30 | ≤ 30 | ≤ 50 | ppm |
| Vapor Pressure at 37.8°C | ≤ 1430 | ≤ 480 | 600 – 1200 | kPa |
| Liquid Density at 15°C | 0.50 – 0.51 | 0.57 – 0.58 | 0.53 – 0.55 | kg/L |
3. Features & Benefits
Clean-Burning Blue Flame: Near-zero particulate matter and sulfur emissions, making it a premium residential and industrial fuel with zero sooting.
High Calorific Value: Provides instant, controllable heat with high thermal efficiency (11,000+ kcal/kg).
Petrochemical Grade Purity: High-purity Propane is an excellent feedstock for steam crackers to produce ethylene and propylene with maximum yield.
Precision Vapor Pressure: Isobutane, with its specific vapor pressure curve, is a key component in aerosol propellants (deodorants, paints) and as a blowing agent for insulation foams.
Autogas Fuel: The LPG mixture is the world’s most widely used alternative automotive fuel, significantly reducing exhaust emissions compared to gasoline.
4. Industrial Applications
Residential & Commercial Energy: Heating, cooking, and water heating.
Petrochemical Feedstock: Steam cracking of propane and butane for olefins production (Ethylene, Propylene).
Refrigeration & Aerosols: Isobutane (R600a) as a green refrigerant, and propellant in cosmetic, food, and industrial spray cans.
Foam Blowing: Isobutane and n-Butane as physical blowing agents in the manufacture of expandable polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane (PU) insulation foam.
Transportation: Autogas for taxis, buses, and forklift trucks.
5. Safety & Handling
MSDS: This product is an extremely flammable gas/liquid. Full MSDS is available from Arnico.
Storage Conditions: Must be stored in pressure vessels designed to ASME or EN standards, sited outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources, drains, and occupied buildings.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): In liquid form, it causes cryogenic-like burns. Full-face visor, long-sleeve thermal/cold-resistant gloves, and anti-static clothing are mandatory.
6. Quality Assurance & COA
Arnico provides a detailed Certificate of Analysis (COA) by Gas Chromatography (GC) with every LPG delivery, confirming the precise compositional breakdown of C1 to C4+ hydrocarbons and the total sulfur content.
