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prashantakerkar prashantakerkar
wrote...
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Posts: 1645
4 years ago Edited: 4 years ago, prashantakerkar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighter

Can there be substituted or alternatives to Butane gas in Lighters?

Ex : Methane, Ethane,Propane,Pentane etc ?

If Yes, Which?
If No, Why?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
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Prashant S Akerkar
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wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
4 years ago
Remember that most ovens use natural gas as a fuel. Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes (including pentane), and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium.

Probably the biggest drivers behind using methane as a fuel is that it is abundant in natural gas and is (currently) mostly useless as a chemical feedstock. Ethane makes up a few percent of natural gas and can also be obtained as byproducts of petroleum refining, but the big difference from methane is that ethane is extremely useful in chemical synthesis (mostly to make polyethylene). In fact, household natural gas often contains a bit of ethane, which may vary depending on the current demand for ethane as a feedstock. In short: it burns just as well, but ethane has other important uses.

Propane has some use as a feedstock, but it is an attractive fuel because it is easily stored as a liquid without requiring huge pressures.
wrote...
Valued Member
4 years ago
Thanks.

So Can we use Methane, Ethane, Propane or Pentane gas as alternative to Butane gas in Lighters?

Which could be the Best Alternative Gas/es replacing Butane in Lighters?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
Prashant S Akerkar
Answer accepted by topic starter
bio_manbio_man
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Posts: 33225
4 years ago
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wrote...
Valued Member
4 years ago
Thanks.

So propane gas could be the nearest best alternative or substitute to Butane gas in Lighters?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
Prashant S Akerkar
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
4 years ago Edited: 4 years ago, bio_man
Yes, especially if the vapor pressure is close to that of butane. Propane is used in bbq gas tanks also
wrote...
Valued Member
4 years ago

Thanks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentane

Can Pentane gas be evaluated for substituting Butane gas in Lighters?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
Prashant S Akerkar
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
4 years ago Edited: 4 years ago, bio_man
Pentane is a 5-carbon hydrocarbon. It's a larger molecule than butane (4-carbon linkage), so I'd assume it'd require more pressure to liquidize. Propane is more suited to colder environments since it evaporates at -44oF (-42oC) at atmospheric pressure. Butane evaporates at 33oF (0.6 oC) at atmospheric pressure. It's not a good alternative I'd think for a tiny lighter. Hope this helps!
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