What is the definition of flammable gas? Flammable gases are explosive when they are mixed with air or oxygen in the right proportions. Examples of flammable gases are propane, hydrogen, butane, methane, ethylene, acetylene, ammonia, ethane and silane.

What is Propane

Propane gas is a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C3H8. At room temperature propane is a flammable gas which is colourless and odourless. Propane is often used in gas cylinders as fuel for cooking, heating and hot water supply. Propane is also a substance of LPG which is a gas for cars. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane. Propane is also used as a refrigerant for refrigerators and for air conditioning.

What is Hydrogen

Hydrogen gas is a flammable gas with the molecular formula H2. At normal pressure and temperature, hydrogen is colourless, odourless, tasteless and very flammable. Hydrogen with a concentration higher than 4% will burn in the air. At 585 degrees Celsius, a mixture of hydrogen and air will cause a self-combustion. Industrial applications in which hydrogen is used are the production of ammonia, the production of methanol, the hardening of fats and oils, the production of hydrochloric acid, for welding, as rocket fuel, the filling for balloons and zeppelins, the cooling of generators. Hydrogen has also been investigated as fuel for car engines.

What is Butane

Butane gas is a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C4H10. At room temperature butane is colourless and odourless and flammable. Butane is used in gas cylinders for cooking, mainly with camping items for use in tent or caravan. Butane is also utilised in a mixture with propane as a fuel in cigarette lighters. Further butane is used in gas cylinders used by roofers and plumbers. Because the boiling point of butane is -0,5 degrees, Celsius butane will be liquid with temperatures lower than -0,5 degrees Celsius. Therefore propane is more useful as fuel for cooking.

What is Methane

Methane gas is a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula CH4 and is also known under the name natural gas. At room temperature, methane is colourless and odourless and flammable. Methane is created by the decomposition of organic substances by bacteria in oxygen-free conditions as with marshes. Methane can also arise with forest fires when organic substances are heated. Methane also arises with cattle farms. Methane gas will be created by bacteria in the stomach of a cattle when digesting food. Methane is also used for the production of green power.

What is Ethylene

Ethylene is a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C2H4. Ethylene is colourless, and it has a sweet odour and is flammable. Ethylene is used in the chemical industry for the production of polyethylene which is an often used plastic.

What is Acetylene

Acetylene is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C2H2. Acetylene is colourless, odourless and is flammable. Acetylene is mainly used for oxy-acetylene gas welding and cutting because of the high temperature of the flame.

What is Ammonia

Ammonia is an inorganic mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen with the molecular formula NH3. At room temperature ammonia is colourless, toxic, flammable and it has a strong irritating odour. Ammonia is used in cleaning products to remove old paint layers. It is also used as a refrigerant for refrigeration plants. Ammonia is harmful to the environment. By oxidation in the air and the ground, ammonia is changed into nitric acid which is harmful to forests and nature. Ammonia is also harmful to groundwater. The current excess ammonia is mainly caused by agriculture.

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What is Ethane

Ethane is a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C2H6. At room temperature, Ethane is colourless, odourless and flammable. Ethane is used for the production of ethylene, as a feedstock for other chemicals and it is also a refrigerant used in refrigeration systems.

What is Silane

Silane is a flammable gas with the molecular formula SiH4. At room temperature silane is colourless, flammable and it has a vigorous and sharp odour. Silane is used for industrial and medical applications. For example, silane is used as coupling agent to adhere glass fibres and carbon fibres to polymer matrices. Further silane is also employed in the semiconductor industry.