Propane
Propane is a colorless, flammable alkane with the formula C₃H₈. It is used as a fuel and as a feedstock for chemical manufacturing.
Liquefied petroleum gas: A mixture of light hydrocarbons stored as liquids under pressure, commonly including propane and butane. Propane is a principal component of this widely distributed fuel category.
Alkane: A saturated hydrocarbon containing only carbon–carbon single bonds. Propane belongs to this family of saturated hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbon: A chemical compound made only of carbon and hydrogen. Propane is a three-carbon member of this broad compound class.
Methane: The simplest alkane, with formula CH₄, and the main component of natural gas. Methane is a lighter gaseous fuel often compared with propane for heating and cooking.
Greenhouse gas emissions: Gases released into the atmosphere that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, contributing to warming. Burning propane produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Propane dehydrogenation: An industrial process that removes hydrogen from propane to produce propylene. This process turns propane into a major chemical feedstock.
Combustion: A chemical reaction in which a fuel reacts with an oxidant, releasing heat and often light. Propane releases heat by reacting with oxygen, ideally forming carbon dioxide and water.
Molecular formula: A notation showing the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. C₃H₈ states that each propane molecule contains three carbon and eight hydrogen atoms.
Ethanol: An alcohol with formula C₂H₅OH, used as a solvent, chemical feedstock, and fuel. Ethanol is a liquid fuel with different storage, combustion, and renewable-production pathways.
Carbon monoxide poisoning: Illness caused by inhaling carbon monoxide, a colorless gas that interferes with oxygen transport in blood. Incomplete propane combustion can generate this dangerous gas indoors.