Butane detection
Butane is a colourless and almost odourless gas that liquefies even at low pressure. It is produced, for example, by cracking crude oil. However, it also occurs in natural gas. It is gaseous at normal pressure and room temperature. Butane belongs to the group of alkanes. These are saturated, acyclic hydrocarbons that consist only of the two elements carbon and hydrogen.
Application of butane
Due to its wide range of applications, butane plays an important role in industry and trade, but also for end users. It is used, for example, in barbecues and in cartridges for camping cookers, in vehicles powered by liquid gas, gas blowtorches and lighters. Since the ban on CFCs, it has also been used as a propellant for spray bottles.
Non-toxic, but highly flammable
Butane is not extremely toxic (TLV in Europe 1.000 ppm), but can create a highly flammable and explosive gas-air mixture, especially in confined spaces. As it is heavier than air, it sinks to the floor and accumulates in ditches or in cellars. There it can displace oxygen and create is a risk of suffocation. In larger quantities, it can have a narcotic effect on the human organism and, in extreme cases, lead to severe brain damage.
Reliable measuring devices for butane from Compur
In order to prevent fires, explosions and damage to human health, it is important to store butane safely and to carry out regular measurements where the gas is used. With their modern, innovative sensor technology, the measuring devices from Compur Monitors ensure precise measurements.
Dr. Josef von Stackelberg
Managing Director COMPUR MONITORS GmbH & Co. KG
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