Space-filling models of the propane molecule

Propane gas has become a popular choice for barbecues and portable stoves because its low -42 degrees Celsius boiling point makes it vaporize inside pressurized liquid containers. Propane powers buses, forklifts, taxis, outboard boat motors, and ice resurfacing machines and is used for heat and cooking in recreational vehicles and campers. Propane combustion is much cleaner than that of coal or unleaded gasoline. The presence of carbon-carbon bonds, plus the multiple bonds of propylene and butylene, produce organic exhausts besides carbon dioxide and water vapor during typical combustion. These bonds also cause propane to burn with a visible flame. The enthalpy of combustion of propane gas where all products return to standard state, for example where water returns to its liquid state at standard temperature is 2219.2 kilojoules per mole. The enthalpy of combustion of propane gas where products do not return to standard state, for example where the hot gases including water vapor exit a chimney is -2043.455 kilojoules per mole. The lower heat value is the amount of heat available from burning the substance where the combustion products are vented to the atmosphere; for example, the heat from a fireplace when the flue is open. Contributor: Junjie Chen, ORCID: 0000-0001-5055-4309, E-mail address: [e-mail], Department of Energy and Power Engineering, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, 2000 Century Avenue, Jiaozuo, Henan, 454000, P.R. China