“Everything You Need to Know About Combustible Gases |

Is butane heavier than air? Is butane lighter than air? LPG is lighter than air

Butane is 2,006 times heavier than air, at the same temperature and pressure conditions.

Butane has a molar mass of 58.124 g/mol compared to 28.97 g/mol of air.

So butane is a little more than twice the weight of air.

The relative density of butane gas is heavier than air.

The relative density of butane is not lighter than air.

Butane weighs 2.5436 kg/m³ while air weighs 1.225 kg/m³ (at 15°C at 1 atm), so slightly more than double.

LPG (propane gas) is not lighter than air.

In fact, LPG is more than 50% heavier than air at sea level (1 atm).

The density of LPG (density of propane) is 1.55 times heavier than air.

Therefore, LPG (propane) is heavier than air.

As a result, LPG gas, both propane and butane, will be installed in low places.

Density of LPG: LPG is lighter than air

LPG is not lighter than air.

LPG is heavier than air.

Butane is slightly more than 2 times heavier than air.

Butane gas weighs 2.5436 kg/m³ while air weighs 1.225 kg/m³.

Propane is 1.55 times heavier than air.

Propane gas weighs 1.898 kg/m³ compared to air at 1.225 kg/m³.

The specific gravity of LPG (propane gas) is 1.55 (air = 1.00).

LPG Density Chart: LPG (Propane and Butane)

It is LPG (propane and butane)

Lighter or heavier than air

Density (air=1)

At standard temperature and pressure – STP¹ – LPG is a gas.

LPG gas (steam) is heavier than air.

The following applies to LPG, as a gas:

●  LPG – propane – weighs 0.1162 lbs/ft³.

Air weighs 0.0752 lb/ft³.

Note that LPG gas is also known as “LPG vapour”.

¹STP – Standard temperature and pressure – defined as 0 °C (32 °F) and 1 atm (14.7 psia or 0 psig)

Butane is heavier than air, butane is not lighter than air.

Butane is heavier than air, butane is not lighter than air.

Butane gas is 2.08 times heavier than air.

Butane weighs 2.5436 kg/m³ while air weighs 1.225 kg/m³ (15°C at 1 atm).

So butane is a little more than twice as heavy as air.

Butane is one of the gases, along with propane, that is classified as LPG.

In the event of an LPG gas leak, it is important to remember that LPG is heavier than air.

Gas leaks will be installed at the lowest point, including basements and under houses.

So, if you have a leak, don’t assume all the gas is gone just because you can no longer smell it on the main level of your home.

Make sure the gas has dissipated everywhere, including low points in and around your home.

LPG density: specific gravity of liquid LPG

The density of LPG is lower than that of water.

The density of LPG or specific gravity is approximately half that of water, with 1 liter equivalent to 0.51 kg (at 15 °C).

Unlike water, 1 kilogram of LPG is NOT equal to 1 liter of LPG.

1 kg of LPG has a volume of 1.96 L.

LPG is a liquid when stored under pressure in a cylinder or other container.

Conversely, 1L of LPG (propane) weighs 0.51 kg (at 15°C).

Conversely, 1 US gallon of propane (at 60°F) weighs only 4.23 pounds, instead of the 8.34 pounds it would weigh if it were water.

Propane is 580.88 kg/m³ (at a boiling point of -42°C or -44°F)

Butane is 601.26 kg/m³ (at a boiling point of -0.4°C or 31.3°F)

The specific gravity (SG) of liquid butane is 0.601 (at 25°C)

LPG liquid to gas or LPG gas to liquid

Note that the following are liquid to gas or gas to liquid conversions:

● LPG kg to m³ (1 kg = 0.53 m³) or m³ to kg (1 m³ = 1.89 kg)

● LPG liters to m³ (1L = 0.27m³) or m³ to liters (1m³ = 3.70L)

See more LPG gas blogs

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Understanding the properties of the combustible gases you use or come into contact with is important to reducing the risk of sudden fires or explosions.

For your reference, we have put together a list of the most common combustible gases to help you better understand the common hazardous gases in your facility or warehouse.

Discover the properties of the most common combustible gases with this reference from our gas detection experts.

What makes a gas combustible?

Combustion, in short, is when a substance reacts with oxygen in the air and transfers energy to the environment in the form of light and heat.

Liquid compounds or gases that exceed their flash point (minimum temperature for a liquid gas to ignite in air) are combustible and can cause an explosion.

It is important to have an accurate detection system to monitor the levels of combustible gases in the air.

Learn about the most common types of combustible gases that your facility needs to be protected against.

Some are heavier than air, others lighter and your combustible gas detectors must be mounted accordingly in your facility.

Commonly used in portable lighting, welding and cutting, acetylene is a hydrocarbon gas that is lighter than air and, fortunately for detection, has a characteristic odor.

It is produced by the chemical action of water on calcium carbide and is a suitable fuel gas for various applications.

butane

butane

Commonly found in cooking fuels or mixed with propane for commercial use, butane gas is a colorless, odorless gas that is highly flammable.

Considered one of the most important manufacturing chemicals, ethylene is a building block for most plastics, antifreeze solutions, and solvents.

Methane is the main ingredient found in natural gas.

From the manufacture of fabrics, plastics, antifreeze, fertilizers and paper materials to powering homes, methane gas is one of the most widely used combustible gases.

Commonly used for space or water heating, propane gas is a non-toxic, colorless liquid gas.

In efforts to reduce air pollution, propane has become a popular substitute for fuels such as gasoline because of its low concentration of pollutants.

Because of its combustion efficiency, propylene gas is a colorless combustible gas that has a naturally pungent odor.

Like propane, it is a non-toxic, clean alternative to gasoline.

Protection against combustible gases

Gas detection is crucial in environments where combustible gases are found, especially industrial and commercial manufacturing facilities.

GDS Corp offers customized gas detection systems for your business, regardless of your size.

Do you regularly work with combustible gases?

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