Butane gas

Both butane gas and propane gas are liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) and both are used extensively in the leisure and outdoor activity industries. This can see them as the power source in everything from heaters in mobile homes to garden heater and patio heaters.

In Europe butane gas is supplied in blue bottles and cylinders and one of its most popular applications is as a fuel source for gas powered garden tower heaters. These heaters produce a flame that is then reflected downwards and outwards by a metal cone at the top of the heater.

Characteristics of butane gas

Although butane and propane are sometimes viewed as being interchangeable they are different. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane and this means that, whilst always adequate for indoor use, it cannot be used outdoors in cool or cold temperatures. For this reason butane is fine on a warm or mild summer’s day, but unsuitable on a cold winter’s day.

In the UK, butane is a popular Calor gas and it is required to conform to a British Standard, BS4250. (This is also the standard that propane gas is governed by.)

The reason for the popularity, ease of use, and safety of butane gas is the fact that when compressed it liquefies very easily. This means that is possible to hold large amounts of the gas in small bottles and cylinders that take up a minimum of space. These cylinders can then be housed in restricted areas like the base of a garden heater, a camper van (mobile home) etc.

Butane burns when it is in gas form and mixed with normal air. In order for ignition to take place the mix of butane to air needs to be between 1.8% to 9.5% (i.e. gas to air ratio). If the mix is outside of this range that gas-air mixture will not ignite.

Other features

Butane has neither a smell nor a colour and therefore, in its natural state, it is undetectable. Naturally this can be dangerous. In order to make leaks or escapes detectable the natural butane has an odour or smell added to it. This ensures that butane escapes can be recognised and suitable action taken to remedy them.

Both butane and propane are considered stable, however, due to its lower boiling point butane is a slightly more stable gas than propane.