Cyclopentane and Isobutane in Refrigerator Foam

Refrigerator manufacturers rely on Cyclopentane and Isobutane as key blowing agents in polyurethane foam systems. These two hydrocarbons play complementary roles, ensuring optimal insulation, foam performance, and energy efficiency.

In modern refrigeration manufacturing, insulation performance is crucial for energy efficiency and product reliability. Polyurethane (PU) foam is the most widely used insulation material in refrigerators and freezers. To produce high-quality PU foam, manufacturers rely on hydrocarbon blowing agents, among which Cyclopentane and Isobutane are the most common. Understanding the differences and synergy between these two agents is essential for optimal foam performance.

Cyclopentane: The Primary Blowing Agent

Cyclopentane has become the preferred primary blowing agent for PU foam due to its excellent thermal insulation properties and high closed-cell structure. Its relatively high boiling point (~49°C) allows controlled foam expansion. Advantages include:

• Superior insulation: High closed-cell content reduces heat transfer.
• Stable foam structure: Produces uniform foam density with minimal shrinkage.
• Safety and handling: Higher flash point makes it safer in large-scale industrial applications.

Isobutane: The Complementary Agent

Isobutane acts as a co-blowing agent. Its lower boiling point (~-12°C) and higher volatility bring benefits:

• Improved flowability: Reduces polyol blend viscosity, allowing better filling of cavities.
• Enhanced foam uniformity: Consistent cell size and density across insulation panels.
• Process optimization: Speeds up foam expansion and reduces production time.

Some manufacturers also use Isobutane as a refrigerant (R600a), but in foam production, it serves as an auxiliary agent. Typical proportion ranges from 20% to 30% relative to Cyclopentane.

Why They Cannot Replace Each Other

Although both Cyclopentane and Isobutane are hydrocarbons used in foaming applications, they are not interchangeable:

1. Boiling point differences: Cyclopentane ensures stable expansion; Isobutane evaporates too quickly alone.
2. Foam quality: Isobutane alone leads to low closed-cell content and uneven foam.
3. Safety considerations: Isobutane is more flammable, requiring stricter handling.
4. Solubility and compatibility: Cyclopentane dissolves better in polyols for uniform foam.

The Balance of Performance and Safety

Using Cyclopentane as the main blowing agent and Isobutane as a co-blowing agent achieves:

• High thermal insulation for energy-efficient refrigerators
• Optimized foam processing and consistent quality
• Enhanced safety and controlled volatility
• Cost-effectiveness with reduced material waste

For more details about refrigeration and insulation materials, visit ASHRAE or read about foam technology at Halonix.

Conclusion

In summary, Cyclopentane and Isobutane play distinct but complementary roles in refrigerator PU foam production. Cyclopentane ensures excellent insulation and foam stability, while Isobutane improves flowability, uniformity, and process efficiency. Manufacturers require both to achieve high-quality, energy-efficient refrigeration products, rather than substituting one for the other.

Cyclopentane: The Primary Blowing Agent

Cyclopentane has become the preferred primary blowing agent for PU foam due to its excellent thermal insulation properties and high closed-cell structure. Its relatively high boiling point (~49°C) allows for controlled foam expansion during the production process. The advantages of Cyclopentane in refrigerator insulation include:

• Superior insulation: High closed-cell content reduces heat transfer, improving energy efficiency.
• Stable foam structure: Produces uniform foam density with minimal shrinkage.
• Safety and handling: Higher flash point compared to other hydrocarbons makes it safer in large-scale industrial applications.

Cyclopentane’s excellent solubility in polyol components of PU systems ensures that the foam expands uniformly, filling all cavities of the refrigerator body and forming consistent insulation layers.

Isobutane: The Complementary Agent

While Cyclopentane provides the primary foaming action, Isobutane is often used as a co-blowing agent. Isobutane has a much lower boiling point (~-12°C) and higher volatility. Its inclusion in PU foam formulations brings several benefits:

• Improved flowability: Reduces the viscosity of the polyol blend, allowing better filling of complex cavities.
• Enhanced foam uniformity: Helps achieve consistent cell size and density across the insulation panel.
• Process optimization: Speeds up foam expansion and reduces production time.

In addition, some manufacturers also use Isobutane as a refrigerant (R600a), but in foam production, it acts primarily as an auxiliary agent. The proportion of Isobutane is carefully controlled, typically ranging from 20% to 30% relative to Cyclopentane, depending on the foam formulation and production conditions.

Why They Cannot Replace Each Other

Although both Cyclopentane and Isobutane are hydrocarbons used in foaming applications, they are not interchangeable:

1. Boiling point differences: Cyclopentane’s higher boiling point allows stable expansion, while Isobutane would over-expand or evaporate too quickly if used alone.
2. Foam quality: Using only Isobutane leads to low closed-cell content, higher shrinkage, and uneven foam structure.
3. Safety considerations: Isobutane is more flammable due to its lower flash point, requiring stricter handling conditions.
4. Solubility and compatibility: Cyclopentane dissolves better in polyols, ensuring proper foam formation, whereas Isobutane alone cannot achieve the same uniformity.

Therefore, PU foam systems in refrigerators are designed to leverage the synergy between Cyclopentane and Isobutane rather than treating them as substitutes.

The Balance of Performance and Safety

By using Cyclopentane as the main blowing agent and Isobutane as a co-blowing agent, refrigerator manufacturers achieve:

• High thermal insulation: Energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers.
• Optimized foam processing: Smooth production and consistent quality.
• Enhanced safety: Controlled volatility and reduced fire risk.
• Cost-effectiveness: Efficient use of materials and reduced waste.

This complementary approach ensures that foam panels fill all cavities, maintain structural integrity, and provide long-lasting insulation performance.

Conclusion

In summary, Cyclopentane and Isobutane play distinct but complementary roles in refrigerator PU foam production. Cyclopentane ensures excellent insulation and foam stability, while Isobutane improves flowability, uniformity, and process efficiency. Manufacturers require both to achieve high-quality, energy-efficient refrigeration products. Understanding their synergy helps explain why icebox producers continue to source both chemicals rather than substituting one for the other.

Isobutane is a hydrocarbon with four carbon atoms and a branched structure. 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 has two main sources: refinery streams and natural gas liquids (NGLs). 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. The major drivers for this growth are the increasing demand for synthetic rubber and plastics, especially in the automotive, tire, packaging, and construction industries.

Asia is the largest and fastest-growing region for isobutane, accounting for more than 40% of the global market share in 2019. 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 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.

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.

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

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, 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.

What is the price of refrigerant R600a?

Refrigerant Gas R600a at CNY 156/PIECE| R600A Refrigerant Gas in China

Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. BVV 20LB High Purity China ISO-Butane R600A – 99.5% Guaranteed-None/.

Safety data sheets R600a | GWP 3. r600a-5kg. Cylinder containing 5 kg. of R600a (Isobutane).

Refrigerant Gas R600a
(Iso-Butane) High Purity Refrigerant Gas R600a, High Quality Refrigerant Gas. We will be implementing a 7.5% price increase effective from 10 March 2023

What is a substitute for R600a?

R134a

R600a was replaced with R134a in the closed-loop two-phase thermosyphon. R600a was considered as a climate-friendly in the direction of the EU F-Gas Regulation. Different filling ratios of R600a were investigated. The performance of mini TER was assessed in terms of energy and exergy analysis.

R600a

A flammable refrigerant gas with very low GWP for R134a (HFC) replacement in Refrigerator and Refrigeration systems, substitution of this refrigerant for motor vehicle air conditioning systems not originally designed for R600a is widely prohibited or discouraged.

Characteristics

Melting Point−159.42 °CBoiling Point−11.7 °CDensity2.51 kg/m3 (at 15 °C, 100 kPa)FormsLiquified gas, Flammable

USES AND APPLICATIONS

Key applications

• Refrigerating and air-conditioning systems

Synonyms: Isobutane, I-butane, 2-methylpropane, methylpropane

Chemical Formula: C4H10

CAS Number: 75-28-5

Buy R600a from Chinese suppliers | (75-28-5)
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