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Walter O. Snelling is credited with the first synthesis of propane in the 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Walter O. Snelling made significant contributions to understanding propane in the early 20th century, its initial synthesis is attributed to Marcellin Berthelot in 1857.
The nomenclature 'propane' originates from the Greek terms 'protos' (first) and 'pion' (fat), alluding to its chemical relationship with propionic acid.
Answer: True
Explanation: The name 'propane' is derived from the Greek words 'protos' (first) and 'pion' (fat), reflecting its connection to propionic acid and its three-carbon structure.
Walter O. Snelling identified propane as a significant component within gasoline and subsequently developed methodologies for its liquefaction.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1910, Walter O. Snelling recognized propane as a volatile component of gasoline and later patented methods for its liquefaction, paving the way for its commercialization.
In 1864, Edmund Ronalds identified propane as a substance dissolved within crude oil.
Answer: True
Explanation: Edmund Ronalds' work in 1864 involved identifying propane dissolved in Pennsylvanian crude oil, marking an early discovery of the compound.
Who is credited with the initial synthesis of propane in the year 1857?
Answer: Marcellin Berthelot
Explanation: The French chemist Marcellin Berthelot is credited with the initial synthesis of propane in 1857.
Which chemist identified propane dissolved in crude oil in the year 1864?
Answer: Edmund Ronalds
Explanation: Edmund Ronalds was the chemist who identified propane as a component dissolved in crude oil in 1864.
In what year did propane first become commercially available in the United States?
Answer: 1911
Explanation: Propane began its commercial availability in the United States around 1911, following Walter O. Snelling's work on its liquefaction.
What was the primary significance of Walter O. Snelling's work conducted in 1910 concerning propane?
Answer: He identified propane as a volatile component in gasoline and developed liquefaction methods.
Explanation: Walter O. Snelling's 1910 research identified propane as a volatile component of gasoline and led to the development of methods for its liquefaction, crucial for its commercial use.
What was the reported production volume of propane in the United States in the year 1922?
Answer: 223,000 US gallons
Explanation: The recorded production of propane in the U.S. in 1922 was 223,000 U.S. gallons, indicating early stages of its commercial development.
At standard temperature and pressure, propane exists as a colorless and odorless gas, necessitating the addition of an odorant for safety detection.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane is indeed a colorless and odorless gas under standard conditions. For safety, a distinct odorant, typically ethyl mercaptan, is added to make leaks detectable by smell.
The molecular formula for propane is C3H6, signifying three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.
Answer: False
Explanation: The correct molecular formula for propane is C3H8, indicating three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms.
Propane possesses a greater volumetric energy density compared to gasoline.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane has a lower volumetric energy density than gasoline, meaning a given volume of propane stores less energy. However, it has a higher gravimetric energy density (energy per unit mass).
The autoignition temperature of propane signifies the threshold at which it ignites spontaneously without the need for an external spark.
Answer: True
Explanation: Autoignition temperature is defined as the lowest temperature at which a substance will spontaneously ignite in a normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition, such as a flame or spark.
Propane's melting point is substantially higher than its boiling point.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane's melting point (-187.7°C) is significantly lower than its boiling point (-42°C). This property is crucial for its handling and use as a liquefied gas.
The critical point of propane defines the temperature and pressure threshold above which it can only exist in a gaseous state.
Answer: True
Explanation: The critical point represents the highest temperature and pressure at which a substance can exist as a liquid. Above this point, it exists solely as a gas.
What is the correct molecular formula for propane?
Answer: C3H8
Explanation: The molecular formula for propane, an alkane with three carbon atoms, is C3H8.
What is the flash point of propane, indicating the minimum temperature for vapor ignition?
Answer: -155°F (-104°C)
Explanation: The flash point of propane is -104°C (-155°F), the lowest temperature at which its vapors can ignite in the presence of an ignition source.
The primary source of propane production is as a byproduct derived from natural gas processing and petroleum refining operations.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane is predominantly obtained as a co-product during the processing of natural gas and the refining of crude oil.
To maximize storage capacity and prevent vapor loss, propane tanks should be filled to their absolute maximum capacity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane tanks must not be filled completely; adequate headspace must be left to accommodate thermal expansion. Overfilling poses a significant safety risk, potentially leading to tank rupture.
Propane is stored under cryogenic temperatures, analogous to the storage conditions for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane is stored as a liquid under moderate pressure (Liquefied Petroleum Gas - LPG), not under cryogenic temperatures like LNG. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is stored under high pressure.
Propane's low boiling point of -42°C renders it less effective for portable stoves in cold weather than fuels with higher boiling points.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane's low boiling point of -42°C actually makes it highly suitable for portable stoves in cold weather, as it vaporizes readily, unlike fuels with higher boiling points which may struggle to vaporize in low temperatures.
Propane possesses a higher octane rating than gasoline, which enhances its suitability for use as a motor fuel.
Answer: True
Explanation: With an octane rating of 110, propane offers superior resistance to knocking compared to gasoline, allowing for higher compression ratios and potentially improved engine efficiency.
Propane, designated as R-290, is utilized as a refrigerant, valued for its efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane is recognized as an effective refrigerant under the designation R-290, offering high efficiency and a favorable environmental profile with low GWP and ODP.
Propane serves as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry, utilized in processes such as steam cracking.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane is a valuable feedstock for the petrochemical sector, particularly in steam cracking processes used to produce olefins like ethylene and propylene.
Propane is primarily utilized as a coolant in refrigeration systems, serving as a replacement for traditional Freon refrigerants.
Answer: False
Explanation: While propane (R-290) is used as a refrigerant and offers environmental benefits over some older refrigerants, it is not primarily used as a general coolant, nor is it a direct replacement for all Freon types across all applications.
The primary disadvantage of propane when used as a refrigerant is its inherent high flammability.
Answer: True
Explanation: While propane offers environmental and efficiency advantages as a refrigerant (R-290), its high flammability necessitates strict safety protocols and design considerations.
Which of the following represents a primary application of propane?
Answer: As a fuel for heating, cooking, and vehicles
Explanation: Propane's most significant applications are as a fuel for residential, commercial, and automotive purposes, including heating, cooking, and powering vehicles.
What characteristic of propane makes it highly suitable for portable stoves, especially in cold weather conditions?
Answer: Its ability to vaporize easily due to a low boiling point
Explanation: Propane's low boiling point (-42°C) ensures it vaporizes readily from its liquid state, even in cold temperatures, making it reliable for portable stoves and grills.
What is the standard designation for propane when it is employed as a refrigerant?
Answer: R-290
Explanation: Propane is designated as R-290 when used as a refrigerant in various cooling systems.
What is considered a significant disadvantage of utilizing propane in refrigeration systems?
Answer: High flammability
Explanation: The primary drawback of using propane as a refrigerant (R-290) is its high flammability, which requires careful system design and safety measures.
Which of the following statements is NOT considered an advantage of propane when used as a motor fuel (autogas)?
Answer: Higher volumetric energy density than gasoline
Explanation: Propane has a lower volumetric energy density than gasoline, meaning a larger volume of propane is needed to store the same amount of energy. Other listed points are advantages.
What is a primary environmental advantage of using propane (R-290) as a refrigerant compared to alternatives like R410A and R32?
Answer: Less atmospheric damage compared to R410A/R32
Explanation: Propane (R-290) offers a significant environmental advantage due to its negligible ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential, making it superior to refrigerants like R410A and R32 in this regard.
How is propane utilized to improve the performance characteristics of diesel trucks?
Answer: It is injected through the turbocharger to help diesel burn more completely.
Explanation: Propane is injected into the intake air stream of diesel engines, typically via the turbocharger, to promote more complete combustion of the diesel fuel, thereby enhancing performance and efficiency.
Propane vapor is denser than air, causing leaked vapor to accumulate in low-lying areas rather than rise and dissipate quickly.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane gas is approximately 1.5 times denser than air. Consequently, in the event of a leak, it tends to sink and collect in low-lying areas, posing an increased risk of ignition.
Propane is deemed a safe fuel for marine applications, such as on boats, due to its vapor being lighter than air.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane vapor is denser than air and tends to accumulate in low-lying areas, such as a boat's bilge. This accumulation creates a significant explosion hazard, making it generally unsuitable for marine use.
A BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) is a phenomenon that occurs during the normal operational cycle of propane.
Answer: False
Explanation: A BLEVE is a catastrophic failure of a pressurized vessel containing a liquid, resulting from external heat exposure. It is a dangerous explosion, not a normal operational event.
As a simple asphyxiant, propane inhalation abuse can lead to severe health consequences, including cardiac arrest.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane acts as a simple asphyxiant by displacing oxygen. Intentional inhalation (abuse) can lead to hypoxia, cardiac arrhythmias, and potentially cardiac arrest.
Propane is less dense than air, which contributes to its safety profile in enclosed environments.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane is denser than air. This characteristic means that leaked propane vapor can accumulate in low-lying areas, creating a potential fire or explosion hazard, rather than dissipating safely.
The range of propane concentrations in air that can form explosive mixtures is approximately 2.37% to 9.5% by volume.
Answer: True
Explanation: Propane forms flammable or explosive mixtures with air within the lower explosive limit (LEL) of 2.37% and the upper explosive limit (UEL) of 9.5% by volume.
What is the safety implication of propane's density relative to air?
Answer: It means propane vapor will accumulate in low-lying areas if leaked.
Explanation: Because propane vapor is denser than air, leaks can lead to the accumulation of flammable gas in confined or low-lying spaces, increasing the risk of ignition and explosion.
What chemical compound is typically added to propane as an odorant for safety purposes?
Answer: Ethyl mercaptan
Explanation: Ethyl mercaptan is the common odorant added to propane to provide a distinctive smell, alerting individuals to potential leaks.
What specific safety risk is associated with propane's density relative to air, particularly in environments like a boat's bilge?
Answer: It can pool in low-lying areas, increasing explosion risk.
Explanation: Due to its density relative to air, propane vapor can accumulate in low-lying areas such as bilges, creating a hazardous concentration that significantly increases the risk of explosion.
What is the Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure limit for propane recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)?
Answer: 1,000 ppm
Explanation: NIOSH recommends a Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure limit of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) for propane over a standard workday.
What is the principal reason propane is typically considered unsuitable for applications on boats?
Answer: Its density causes leaked vapor to accumulate in dangerous low spots.
Explanation: The primary safety concern with propane on boats is its density relative to air; leaked vapor settles in low areas, creating a significant explosion risk.
What potential health hazard is associated with the abuse of propane through inhalation?
Answer: Hypoxia and cardiac arrest
Explanation: Inhaling propane can displace oxygen, leading to hypoxia, and can also cause cardiac sensitization, potentially resulting in cardiac arrest.
Propane exhibits a significantly higher global warming potential (GWP) compared to refrigerants such as R410A and R32.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane has a negligible ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a very low global warming potential (GWP), making it a more environmentally favorable alternative to many common refrigerants like R410A and R32.
When combusted, propane generates a substantially greater quantity of carbon dioxide per British Thermal Unit (BTU) compared to coal.
Answer: False
Explanation: Propane combustion produces significantly less carbon dioxide per BTU than coal. Its CO2 emissions per unit of energy are comparable to natural gas, and it burns cleaner overall.
The higher heating value (HHV) of propane, representing the energy released during complete combustion, is approximately 50 megajoules per kilogram.
Answer: True
Explanation: The complete combustion of propane yields approximately 50 MJ/kg, which is its higher heating value (HHV), accounting for the energy recovered when water vapor condenses.
What is the approximate higher heating value (HHV) of propane per unit mass upon complete combustion?
Answer: 50 MJ/kg
Explanation: The higher heating value (HHV) of propane upon complete combustion is approximately 50 megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg).
In terms of environmental impact, how does the combustion of propane compare to that of coal?
Answer: Propane combustion is significantly cleaner than coal combustion.
Explanation: Propane combustion is considerably cleaner than coal combustion, producing fewer greenhouse gases and other pollutants per unit of energy generated.
The HD-5 specification for propane primarily limits the concentration of contaminants such as butane and propylene.
Answer: True
Explanation: The HD-5 standard, particularly in North America, sets purity requirements for propane, limiting the maximum allowable percentages of contaminants like butane and propylene.
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) assigns the signal word 'Warning' to propane, primarily due to its flammability characteristics.
Answer: False
Explanation: The GHS assigns the signal word 'Danger' to propane, reflecting its highly hazardous nature, particularly its extreme flammability.
What is the primary regulatory focus of the HD-5 standard for propane?
Answer: The maximum percentage of contaminants like butane and propylene
Explanation: The HD-5 standard specifies limits on contaminants, particularly butane and propylene, to ensure propane's suitability and performance, especially in automotive applications.
What is the specific hazard statement assigned to propane under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?
Answer: H220: Extremely flammable gas
Explanation: Under the GHS, propane is classified with the hazard statement H220, indicating it is an extremely flammable gas.
In the NFPA 704 hazard identification system, what does the numeral '0' in the yellow (instability) quadrant signify for propane?
Answer: Normally stable
Explanation: A '0' in the instability (yellow) section of the NFPA 704 diamond indicates that the material is normally stable and not reactive with water or other common materials.
Within the NFPA 704 hazard identification system, what hazard level does the numeral '4' in the red (flammability) quadrant represent for propane?
Answer: Extremely flammable; rapid vaporization or dispersion
Explanation: A '4' in the flammability section of the NFPA 704 diamond indicates extreme flammability, signifying that the substance will vaporize rapidly or disperse in air, and readily ignite.
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