Propylene
Description
Propylene is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, colorless gas with very little odor. It burns readily in the presence of oxygen with a luminous flame.
Properties
| Parameter | Unit | Quantity |
|---|
| Molecular weight | g/mol | 42.08 |
| Boiling point | °C | -47.7 |
| Density of gas | air = 1 | 1.45 |
| Freezing point | °C | -185.3 |
| CAS number | 115-07-1 |
| IUPAC name | propene |
Specifications
| Parameter | Unit | Quantity | Test Method |
|---|
| Purity * | vol % | 99.5 min. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Propane | vol % | 0.5 max. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Ethane | ppm, vol | 100 max. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Ethylene | ppm, vol | 100 max. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Methyl acethylene | ppm, vol | 2 max. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Propadiene | ppm, vol | 2 max. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Butene + butadiene | ppm, vol | 10 max. | ASTM D-2712 |
| Carbon monoxide | ppm, vol | 5 max. | ASTM D-2504 |
| Carbon dioxide | ppm, vol | 10 max. | ASTM D-2504 |
| Oxygen | ppm, vol | 2 max. | - |
| Water | ppm, wt | 5 max. | ASTM D-1142 |
| Sulfur (as S) | ppm, wt | 1 max. | ASTM D-4045 |
* Propylene purity is obtain by subtracting the sum of all the hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbons impurities as obtained by ASTM D-2712.
Note:
- ASTM : American Society for Testing and Materials
Hazards and safety
Inhalation of the gas causes narcosis (paralysis) and irregular heart activity.
| Parameter | Unit | Quantity |
|---|
| Flammable limits | vol % | 40220 |
| Self-ignition temperature | °C | 497 |
| Flash point | °C | -108 |
Applications
Propylene, an important feedstock for the petrochemicals industry, is used in the production of polypropylene, acrylonitrile, propylene glycols, cumene, butyraldehydes, acrolein and other products.
Storage and handling
Propylene is stored as a refrigerated liquid at -470°C and transported by refrigerated vessels. Tanks and pipes should be made of stainless steel or nickel alloys with suitable insulation. It can be transported by tank trucks in the same manner as LPG.
Packaging
Cryogenic tankers (fully refrigerated or semi-refrigerated vessels). UN or ID No. 1077.