Category manufacturer

The Growing Demand for Isobutane in Asia

Isobutane is a colorless flammable liquid that belongs to the hydrocarbon family. It is mainly used as a feedstock for producing isobutylene, which is a key intermediate for making synthetic rubber, plastics, coatings, and other products. It can also be used as a solvent, a fuel, or a raw material for other chemical reactions.

Isobutane is widely available and inexpensive, as it can be obtained from natural gas or crude oil. It has two main sources: refinery streams and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Refinery streams are the by-products of crude oil refining, such as naphtha and gasoline. NGLs are the components of natural gas that are separated and liquefied, such as ethane, propane, and butane.

The global market for isobutane is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2020 to 2027, reaching $36.8 billion by 2027, according to a report by Grand View Research. The major drivers for this growth are the increasing demand for synthetic rubber, especially in the automotive and tire industries, and the rising consumption of plastics, especially in the packaging and construction sectors.

Asia is the largest and fastest-growing region for isobutane, accounting for more than 40% of the global market share in 2019, according to the same report. The region is also the largest producer and consumer of isobutylene, which is derived from isobutane. The main factors that contribute to the high demand for isobutane in Asia are the rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth, as well as the development of the petrochemical and chemical sectors.

The main industries that use isobutane in Asia are petrochemical, synthetic resin, coating, rubber, pharmaceutical, and others. These industries require isobutane for various purposes, such as making isobutylene, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), polyisobutylene (PIB), and other derivatives. These derivatives have various applications, such as making synthetic rubber, fuel additives, antioxidants, lubricants, adhesives, sealants, and medicines.

The main countries that import isobutane in Asia are China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. These countries have a large and growing demand for isobutane, but they do not have enough domestic production or supply to meet their needs. Therefore, they rely on imports from other countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.

The main countries that export isobutane in Asia are Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. These countries have a surplus of isobutane, as they have abundant natural gas or crude oil resources, or they have advanced refining or processing facilities. Therefore, they export isobutane to other countries, especially in Asia, to earn revenue and expand their market share.

The main challenges that face the isobutane market in Asia are the fluctuation of oil and gas prices, the environmental and safety regulations, and the competition from alternative feedstocks, such as bio-based materials. These challenges may affect the supply, demand, and profitability of isobutane and its derivatives. Therefore, the isobutane suppliers and customers need to adopt strategies, such as diversification, innovation, and collaboration, to overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities in the market.

Isobutane is a vital and versatile chemical that has many applications and benefits for various industries and sectors. It is also a strategic and profitable commodity that has a huge and growing market potential in Asia. Therefore, it is important to understand the dynamics and trends of the isobutane market in Asia, and to identify the opportunities and challenges that it presents.

How to Transport Flammable Liquids Safely and Efficiently: The Case of Butane and Isobutane

Flammable liquids are substances that can catch fire easily when exposed to heat, sparks or flames. They are widely used in various industries, such as chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and transportation. However, transporting flammable liquids poses significant challenges and risks, as they may cause fire, explosion, leakage, or environmental pollution if not handled properly. Therefore, it is essential to choose the appropriate containers and methods for transporting flammable liquids safely and efficiently.

In this article, we will focus on two common types of flammable liquids: butane and isobutane. Butane and isobutane are both liquid hydrocarbons, belonging to the third class of dangerous goods². They are mainly used as fuels, refrigerants, propellants, and solvents. They have similar chemical properties, but different molecular structures. Butane has a straight-chain structure, while isobutane has a branched-chain structure. This difference affects their physical properties, such as boiling point, vapor pressure, and density.

We will introduce the characteristics and applications of butane and isobutane, and explain how they can be transported using ISOTank containers, which are specially designed for carrying liquid or gas cargoes. We will also compare the advantages and disadvantages of different types of ISOTank containers, and provide some tips and suggestions for choosing and using them.

What are Butane and Isobutane?

Butane and isobutane are both colorless and odorless liquids at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. They have low viscosity and high volatility, meaning that they can easily flow and evaporate. They are also highly flammable and explosive, meaning that they can ignite and explode when mixed with air in certain proportions. They have low toxicity and low corrosivity, meaning that they have little harmful effects on human health and metal materials.

Butane and isobutane have many industrial and domestic applications, such as:

  • As fuels for cooking, heating, and camping. They are often stored in pressurized cylinders or cartridges, and burned in stoves, heaters, or lanterns.
  • As refrigerants for cooling and freezing. They are often used in refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and heat pumps, as they have good thermodynamic properties and low environmental impact.
  • As propellants for aerosols and foams. They are often used in spray cans, such as hairsprays, deodorants, paints, and whipped creams, as they can create high pressure and fine mist.
  • As solvents for extraction and purification. They are often used in chemical processes, such as oil refining, natural gas processing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as they can dissolve and separate various substances.

How to Transport Butane and Isobutane?

Butane and isobutane can be transported by various modes, such as pipelines, trucks, trains, ships, and planes. However, each mode has its own limitations and challenges, such as capacity, cost, safety, and environmental impact. Therefore, it is important to choose the most suitable mode for different situations and destinations.

One of the most common and convenient modes for transporting butane and isobutane is using ISOTank containers, which are standardized and modularized containers that can carry liquid or gas cargoes. ISOTank containers are made of stainless steel, and have a cylindrical tank inside a rectangular frame. They have various valves, fittings, and accessories, such as heating, insulation, pressure relief, and inert gas systems, to ensure the safety and quality of the cargoes. They can be easily loaded and unloaded, and transferred between different modes, such as trucks, trains, ships, and planes, without changing the containers.

ISOTank containers are classified into different types according to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, which regulates the transportation of dangerous goods by sea. The types of ISOTank containers are based on the design pressure, the minimum and maximum temperatures, and the test pressure of the containers. The main types of ISOTank containers are:

  • IMO 1: for transporting substances with a vapor pressure of less than 1.5 bar at 50°C, and a test pressure of at least 6 bar.
  • IMO 2: for transporting substances with a vapor pressure of less than 4 bar at 50°C, and a test pressure of at least 4 bar.
  • IMO 5: for transporting refrigerated liquefied gases, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, with a test pressure of at least 1.8 bar.
  • IMO 7: for transporting cryogenic liquefied gases, such as liquid nitrogen, oxygen, and helium, with a test pressure of at least 10 bar.

According to the IMDG Code, butane and isobutane should be transported using IMO 1 or IMO 2 ISOTank containers, as they have a vapor pressure of about 2.3 bar and 3.1 bar at 50°C, respectively³. These types of ISOTank containers have the following features:

  • The tank is made of stainless steel, which can resist the corrosion and leakage of butane and isobutane.
  • The tank has a steam or electric heating system, which can maintain the suitable temperature and pressure of butane and isobutane.
  • The tank has an inert gas protection system, which can prevent the self-ignition or explosion of butane and isobutane.
  • The tank has a pressure relief system, which can avoid the overpressure or vacuum of butane and isobutane.
  • The tank has a protective and lifting frame, which can facilitate the multimodal transportation of butane and isobutane.

How We Ensure Timely Delivery of Samples of Solvents to Our Global Customers?

As a leading chemical company, at Junyuan Petroleum Group we are committed to providing high-quality and innovative products to our customers around the world. However, delivering chemical samples to different countries and regions is not a simple task. It requires careful planning and execution, as well as compliance with various laws and regulations. To ensure the safety and legality of our sample shipments, we follow these steps: – We identify the type and hazard level of our chemical samples, and whether they need any special permits or certificates. – We choose the appropriate shipping service and mode of transportation, such as air, land or sea, that meet the international or domestic transport rules. – We use proper packaging materials and labels, to prevent leakage, damage or mishandling of our samples. – We fill out complete and accurate shipping documents, including the information of the recipient and the sender, as well as the name, quantity, hazard level and other relevant information of our samples. – We hand over the shipping documents and samples to the shipping service provider, pay the corresponding fees, and track the shipping status. By following these steps, we can ensure that our samples reach our customers in a timely and efficient manner, and that we maintain our reputation as a reliable and trustworthy partner. We are always ready to serve our customers with our best products and services. Some of our most popular products are n-Pentane, Isopentane, Cyclopentane, Blowing Agents, n-Hexane, Isohexane, n-Heptane, n-Butane and Isobutane. These products are widely used in the production of insulation materials, such as Polyurethane (PU) and Polystyrene (PS) foams. They have different properties and advantages, depending on the application and the desired insulation performance¹². For example, Cyclopentane offers an extremely high and lasting insulating effect, as it remains partially in the cells of PU and PIR foams after foaming¹. N-Pentane and Iso-Pentane have a lower insulating effect than Cyclopentane, but they are more stable and the individual cells are firmer and finer². Blowing Agents are mixtures of different Pentanes, which can optimize the costs and foam properties¹. We test these products in our state-of-the-art laboratories, to ensure their quality and safety. We also customize the products according to the specific needs and preferences of our customers. For example, we can adjust the purity, viscosity, boiling point, and flash point of the products, to suit different applications and climates. The typical amount of samples that our customers request is around 250 milliliters, but this may vary depending on the product and the customer’s requirements. We always try to accommodate the requests of our customers, as long as they are reasonable and legal. We also provide technical support and guidance, to help our customers use our products effectively and efficiently.

Source:
(1) Which Pentanes are suitable for the production of insulating materials?
(2) Which Pentane Blowing Agent is Best for Your Application?
(3) Cyclopentane, as a blowing agent in Polyurethane (PU) foams, is the …. https://junyuanpetroleumgroup.com/chemical-manufacturer-supplier-distributor/cyclopentane-as-a-blowing-agent-in-polyurethane-pu-foams-is-the-most-important-raw-material-for-high-performance-insulation-in-refrigerators/.
(4) N-Heptane Vs N-Pentane

The international chemical testing organizations we work with

There are many authoritative third-party testing organizations that can provide chemical testing, analysis, certification, and other services. Some of the well-known ones are:

  • SGS²: Based in Switzerland, it is the world’s leading inspection, testing, and certification company, with more than 2500 offices and laboratories, serving industries such as agriculture, consumer goods, energy, life sciences, mining, oil and gas, etc.
  • Intertek³: Based in the UK, it is a global leader in comprehensive quality assurance services, with over 1000 offices and laboratories, covering industries such as petrochemicals, electronics, food and agricultural products, mineral products, energy, etc.
  • Bureau Veritas: Based in France, it is a renowned international inspection and certification group, whose service areas focus on quality, health, safety, and environmental management, as well as social responsibility assessment, with over 1000 laboratories and offices, serving more than 20,000 customers.
  • TÜV Rheinland: Based in Germany, it is an international leading technical service provider, founded in 1872, with extensive testing technology and certification qualifications, serving industries such as electronics, photovoltaic, automotive components, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, etc.

The testing scope of each organization may vary depending on the type of product, material, or industry. Generally, the testing scope can be classified according to the following types:

  • Composition Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative analysis to identify impurities, verify conformance to a standard or specification, evaluate raw materials, identify alloys, etc.
  • Trace Contamination Detection: Detection of foreign particles, stains, cloudiness, degradation, residues, etc. to determine the source of contamination and eliminate it.
  • Metals Testing: Testing of strength, corrosion, etc. to ensure the purity of metals and metal alloys.
  • Material Testing: Testing of polymers, plastics, metals, ceramics, paper, etc. to check quality, durability, composition, etc.
  • Regulatory Testing: Testing of lead, phthalates, and other restricted or banned substances, etc. to ensure products meet regulatory health and safety requirements.

The differences between the testing organizations may depend on their accreditation, reputation, expertise, service quality, cost, turnaround time, etc. Some organizations may have more experience or recognition in certain industries or regions than others. Some organizations may also have more advanced equipment or technology than others. Therefore, it is important to compare and choose the most suitable testing organization for your specific needs and expectations.

Junyuan Petroleum Group is a Chinese company that specializes in chemicals, oil and gas exploration, development, production, and sales. It operates in several countries and regions, such as China, Kazakhstan, Iraq, etc.

Source:
(1) 化学品 | SGS China.
(2) 检测认证机构SGS检测_SGS认证通标标准技术服务有限公司.
(3) 检测认证机构_sgs检测报告_sgs认证通标标准技术服务有限公司_sgs是什么认证机构.

What is the use of n-Heptane UV absorption?

Heptane is an organic compound with the molecular formula C7H16, which is a type of alkane. It is a colorless liquid with a slight gasoline smell, flammable, insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents.

Heptane has some industrial applications, such as being used as a solvent, fuel, or raw material for synthesizing other chemicals.

Heptane can absorb ultraviolet rays, so it can also be used as a UV absorber, such as in sunscreen or plastic. The function of UV absorbers is to prevent UV damage to the skin or materials, such as sunburn, aging, discoloration, or degradation.

Why Isobutane is called R600A?

Isobutane is called R600A because it is a refrigerant with the molecular formula C4H10 or HC(CH3)3. The R stands for refrigerant, and the 600 indicates the molecular weight of the compound divided by 100. The A means that it is an isomer of butane, which has the same chemical composition but a different structure. ¹²

Isobutane is used as a refrigerant in home and commercial appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, vending machines, and plug-ins. It is also used as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry, for example in the synthesis of isooctane. ¹²⁴

Isobutane is a natural refrigerant that has negligible ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential. It is also non-toxic and has good thermodynamic properties. However, it is highly flammable and requires special safety precautions when handling and storing. ²³⁴.

Source:
(1) Isobutane – Wikipedia.
(2) R-600a Isobutane Refrigerant Fact & Info Sheet.
(3) Uses of Isobutane – R600a
(4) Refrigerant r600a (isobutane) properties, pressure.
(5) en.wikipedia.org.

Junyuan Petroleum Group launches Isobutane products

Junyuan Petroleum Group, a leading company in the petrochemical industry, announced the launch of its new Isobutane products on Tuesday. Isobutane is a saturated hydrocarbon that has four carbon atoms and is used as a refrigerant, a propellant, and a raw material for various chemical products.

According to Junyuan Petroleum Group, the new Isobutane products have high purity, low impurities, and stable quality. They can meet the needs of various customers in the domestic and international markets, such as the refrigeration, aerosol, and pharmaceutical industries.

The company said that the launch of the Isobutane products is part of its strategy to diversify its product portfolio and enhance its competitiveness in the global market. The company also plans to expand its production capacity and invest in research and development of new technologies and applications for Isobutane.

Junyuan Petroleum Group is a leading manufacturer, producer and supplier of solvents in China. The company has been operating since 2006 and has a total annual output of over 10 million tons of petrochemical products.

A brief overview of some of the applications for n-Pentane, Isopentane and Cyclopentane

n-Pentane, Isopentane and Cyclopentane are all saturated hydrocarbons that have five carbon atoms. They have different molecular structures and physical properties, which make them suitable for different uses. Some of the common applications for these Pentane isomers are:

  • Blowing agents for insulation materials: Pentanes are the foaming agent of choice for producing Polyurethane (PU) and Polystyrene (PS) insulation boards. They have a high performance and sustainability, as they do not deplete the ozone layer or contribute to global warming. Cyclopentane has the best insulating effect, while n-Pentane and Isopentane have more stable and finer foam cells².
  • Refrigerants: n-Pentane can be used as a refrigerant in air conditioning or refrigeration systems, as an alternative to ammonia or fluorinated hydrocarbons. It has a low boiling point and a high latent heat of vaporization, which means it can absorb a lot of heat when it changes from liquid to gas¹.
  • Non-polar solvents: Pentanes are almost insoluble in water, but show very good solubility or unlimited miscibility with many organic solvents such as paraffins, ethers, esters, aromatics or chlorinated hydrocarbons. They are also very volatile, which means they evaporate quickly and leave no residue. Therefore, they are suitable for cleaning in the aerospace, automobile, electronic, and defense manufacturing industries¹⁵.
  • Process media for polyethylene and polypropylene: Pentanes can be used as process media for the production of polyethylene (PE, LLDPE) and polypropylene (PP), which are widely used plastics. Pentanes help to control the molecular weight, branching and crystallinity of the polymers, which affect their mechanical and thermal properties¹.

These are some of the main applications for n-Pentane, Isopentane and Cyclopentane. I hope this overview is helpful for you.

PU soft foam, n-Pentane foaming in the board industry process

PU soft foam is a kind of soft polyurethane foam plastic with certain elasticity, which is the most widely used polyurethane product³. PU soft foam has an open-cell structure, which has good breathability, moisture absorption and cushioning properties, and is widely used in furniture, mattresses, car seats, clothing, shoes and other fields.

N-pentane foaming is a physical foaming method, which uses n-pentane as a blowing agent, and mixes it with polyurethane raw materials and injects it into a mold. After heating, n-pentane gasifies and forms pores¹. The advantages of n-pentane foaming are that it does not damage the ozone layer, does not produce toxic gases, does not affect the recycling of polyurethane, and can reduce the cost and density, and improve the thermal insulation performance¹.

In the board industry, there are mainly two processes of PU soft foam and n-pentane foaming: one is the continuous foaming method, that is, the polyurethane raw material and n-pentane blowing agent are mixed and sprayed on the continuously moving bottom plate through a nozzle, and then heated by a heating oven to make it foam and solidify, and finally cover the top plate and cut into the required board². This method is suitable for producing large quantities of foam boards, with the characteristics of high efficiency, energy saving and space saving². The other is the one-step molding method, that is, the polyurethane raw material and n-pentane blowing agent are mixed and injected into a pre-made mold, and then heated to make it foam and solidify, and demolded to obtain the required board². This method is suitable for producing foam boards of various shapes and specifications, with the characteristics of flexibility, diversity and precision².

I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Product Price Bulletin: Pentane and Other Hydrocarbons Unchanged on January 4, 2024

The prices of pentane and other hydrocarbons, such as n-hexane, isohexane, n-heptane, n-butane and isobutane, remained unchanged on January 4, 2024, according to Junyuan Petroleum Group. Pentane is a saturated hydrocarbon that has five carbon atoms and can exist in three isomers: n-pentane, isopentane and cyclopentane. Pentane is mainly used as a blowing agent for insulation materials, such as polyurethane and polystyrene foams. Pentane can also be used as a refrigerant, a solvent, a working medium in geothermal plants, and a process medium in the production of polyethylene and polypropylene. Pentane has a high performance and no measurable ozone depletion potential. The prices of pentane and other hydrocarbons are influenced by various factors, such as the supply and demand of crude oil and natural gas, the availability of pentane isomers, and the environmental regulations in different regions. Junyuan Petroleum Group is a leading chemical manufacturer, supplier and distributor of pentane and other hydrocarbons in China and abroad. The company is committed to science and technology and environmental protection industries.

Request a Quote

Request a Quote

for Pentanes, Hexanes, Heptanes, Butanes and more

I will be back soon

Request a Quote
If you would like to receive a quote to purchase a product or you would like more information, please message us on WhatsApp.