• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Package Options‏ : ‎ Steel drum/ISO Tank
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ JY
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 22, 2006
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Junyuan Petroleum Group
• JSIN ‏ : ‎ JY230412
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ China

N-pentane appears as a clear colorless liquid with a petroleum-like odor. Flash point 57 °F. Boiling point 97 °F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water.

Pentane (CAS 109-66-0) is principally derived from crude oil and is classified as an aliphatic hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, volatile petroleum distillate that is relatively soluble in water and is present as a major component of gasoline. Because of its volatility, it would have a propensity to migrate to the atmosphere following an environmental release and would not pose a hazard to the food web. Human exposure may occur by dermal contact or inhalation. The mechanism of toxicity is most likely a nonspecific narcosis (similar to volatile anesthetic compounds). This narcotic form of toxicity would be anticipated following an acute exposure of humans and/or animals to relatively high levels in air (similar to other petroleum solvents), whereas chronic exposures to lower levels appear to be insignificant. Pentane is not neurotoxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic. Clinical management following exposure would consist of moving the victim away from the source and into fresh air (e.g., outdoors). Regulatory standards are available for occupational exposure to pentane but not the branched isomers. The ecotoxicity of pentane is anticipated to be insignificant.

Non–fluorinated blowing agents.

n–Pentane has been used in European countries, e.g., Germany, as a blowing agent for rigid urethane foams. According to Heiling and co–workers’ test results, it has been concluded that there were no indications of higher risks in the case of a real fire. Specifically, the fear concerning explosive–gas mixtures of pentane and air was not confirmed. Explosion–proof dispensing machines have been developed by some companies. Cyclopentane can also be used as a physical blowing agent.

Recently n–pentane–based blowing agents of a blend type have been patented. This patent claims the use of a blend of liquid hydrocarbon and chlorinated hydrocarbon, e.g., a blend of n–pentane and methylene chloride. This method is a convenient way to produce various rigid foams, e.g., polyurethane foams, polyisocyanurate foams, and polyoxazolidone foams. Methylene chloride and pentane have nearly equal boiling points and their blends act like a single solvent. The use of methylene chloride alone results in foam collapse, but a blend of the two solvents does not result in such collapse. A blend of 80/20–90/10 wt % of methylene chloride/pentane is substantially non–combustible, and can be used as the blowing agent for polyisocyanurate–based foams. For rigid polyurethane foams, a blend of about 50/50 wt % is suitable. These blends could solve the disadvantages of 100% water–blown rigid foams mentioned above.

What will be the next generation of blowing agents? Decaire et al.  list the requirements for alternative blowing agents as follows: zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), non–flammable or moderately flammable, 50°C boiling point upper limit, and molecular weight below 180. In addition, the cost ($/mole) of a blowing agent is another important industrial factor.

The use of some azeotropic mixtures as blowing agents for rigid urethane foams have been proposed by Doerge. These blowing agents include CFC–11/methyl formate, and HCFC–141b/2–methyl butane. Ashida et al disclosed halogen–free azeotropes.

2–Chloropropane as blowing agent for rigid urethane foams has been developed by Recticel.

Mixed gas/liquid blowing agents for rigid urethane foams have also been proposed. The patent claims the use of hydrocarbons having boiling points (a) less than 10°C or (b) 20–30°C, or (c) an inert organic liquid having a boiling point of 35–125°C. Another mixed blowing agent for rigid urethane foams was proposed by a patent which claims the use of a mixture of cycloalkanes, e.g., cyclopentane and cyclohexane, and, if necessary, water. The non–fluorinated blowing agents described above can also be applied to polyisocyanurate foams, polyoxazolidone foams, polyurea foams, etc.

Methylene chloride has been used as an auxiliary blowing agent for a long period of time. In some countries, however, due to possible occupational and environmental problems, increased restrictions have been placed on the use of methylene chloride. Therefore, other types of auxiliary blowing agents have been proposed.

Liquefied carbon dioxide is proposed as an auxiliary blowing agent for water–blown flexible urethane foams. Hydrocarbons having a boiling point of 38–100°C are proposed for use in self–skin foam production. Blends of hydrocarbons having a boiling point above −50°C and below 100°C have been proposed as auxiliary blowing agents for water–blown flexible foams.