Propane is a hydrocarbon, composed of hydrogen and carbon, extracted from oil in refining operations or from natural gas and associated gases, in oil fields.
In its natural state, propane gas is gaseous, but liquefies when exposed to room temperatures and under low pressure, reducing its volume up to 250 times, making it possible to handle, store and transport.
Propane gas, in its gaseous state, weighs twice as much as air; and in liquid state, half that of water. It is an energy source that has a higher calorific power and can reach a flame temperature of about 1,900ºC in air and 2,800ºC in oxygen.
For combustion to be optimal, propane must always remain in its gaseous state. As it liquefies starting at 44º below zero, it is ideal for outdoor installations and in cold areas, where it never liquefies.
Because propane gas is odorless and colorless in its natural state, as a security measure sulfur derivatives are added to it to detect possible leaks, due to its characteristic odor.
Another important characteristic of propane is that it is not toxic, it burns clean. It does not produce smoke or soot in combustion and it thereby preserves the environment.