propane

propane
/proh"payn/, n. Chem.
a colorless, flammable gas, C3H8, of the alkane series, occurring in petroleum and natural gas: used chiefly as a fuel and in organic synthesis. Also called dimethylmethane.
[1866; PROP(IONIC) + -ANE]

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Colourless, easily liquefied hydrocarbon gas (C3H8 or, more fully, CH3CH2CH3).

Separated in large quantities from natural gas, light crude oil, and oil-refinery gases, it is available as liquefied propane or as a major constituent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is an important raw material for the manufacture of ethylene and for the petrochemical industry. It is also used as a refrigerant, extractant, solvent, aerosol propellant, and fuel for portable cooking appliances, torches, and lighters.

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      a colourless, easily liquefied, gaseous hydrocarbon (compound of carbon and hydrogen), the third member of the paraffin series following methane and ethane. The chemical formula for propane is C3H8. It is separated in large quantities from natural gas, light crude oil (petroleum), and oil-refinery gases and is commercially available as liquefied propane or as a major constituent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

      As with ethane and other paraffin hydrocarbons, propane is an important raw material for the ethylene petrochemical industry. The decomposition of propane in hot tubes to form ethylene also yields another important product, propylene. From propylene such organic chemicals as acetone and propylene glycol are derived. The oxidation of propane to such compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen as acetaldehyde is also of commercial interest.

      Although a gas at ordinary atmospheric pressure, propane has a boiling point of -42.1° C (−43.8° F) and thus is readily liquefied under elevated pressures. It therefore is transported and handled as a liquid in cylinders and tanks. In this form, alone or mixed with liquid butane, it has great importance as a fuel for domestic and industrial uses and for internal-combustion engines.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Propane — Propane …   Wikipédia en Français

  • propane — [ prɔpan ] n. m. • 1870; de (acide) propionique (1847), de pro , gr. piôn « gras » (« premier acide gras ») et ane ♦ Hydrocarbure saturé (C3H8), gaz inflammable, un des constituants du gaz naturel dont il est extrait. ● propane nom masculin (de… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Propane — Pro pane, n. [Propyl + methane.] (Chem.) A heavy gaseous hydrocarbon, {C3H8}, of the paraffin series, occurring naturally dissolved in crude petroleum, and also made artificially; called also {propyl hydride}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • propane — colorless gas occurring in petroleum, 1866, with chemical suffix ane, from prop(ionic acid) (1850), from Fr. propionique (1847), from Gk. pro forward (see PRO (Cf. pro )) + pion fat (see FAT (Cf. fat) (adj.)), in reference to its being first in… …   Etymology dictionary

  • propane — ► NOUN ▪ a flammable hydrocarbon gas present in natural gas and used as bottled fuel …   English terms dictionary

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