Which of the following gases would you keep in an outdoor storage tank in winter?
Explain why.
methane(CH4), Propane(C3H8), or butane(C4H10)
There is no reason why you can't keep any of these out of doors in the winter. The two assumptions you will have to make are what is the lowest winter temperature and why are you storing the gas? From this you can decide what you are storing them in.
Data
Methane has a boiling point of −161 °C at a pressure of one atmosphere
Propane has a boiling point of −42 °C
Butane has a boiling point of −0.5 °C at a pressure of one atmosphere
So methane will remain a gas no matter where you are on Earth.
Propane will also remain a gas apart from some very cold places on the Earth, such as Antartica and Siberia. If the temperature drops below the boiling point there are two main problems. There will no longer be a supply of gas for, say, heating. There is an additional problem in that the storage container that may have been pressurised, will suddenly come under a vacuum when the gas condenses to the liquid. The atmospheric pressure may crush the container or cause it to crack. This may not be obvious until the gas warms up, repressurises the container and it leaks.
Butane will suffer the same problems as propane when the temperature drops below -0.5C.
One way around the problem of the gas condensing and generating a vacuum is to pressurise the storage vessel so that the gas is stored as a liquid, i.e. it is already a liquid.
Hope this is useful
Thank you. That helped a lot.
In winter, it is generally preferred to keep propane (C3H8) in an outdoor storage tank. Here's why:
1. Vapor Pressure: Propane has a higher vapor pressure compared to methane and butane, which means it remains in a gaseous form even at low temperatures. This makes it easier to handle and use in colder climates.
2. Usability: Propane can be used for a wide range of applications, including heating, cooking, and powering vehicles. Its lower boiling point (-42 °C / -44 °F) enables it to vaporize easily, making it suitable for outdoor storage tanks during winter.
3. Energy Density: Propane has a higher energy density compared to methane and butane, meaning it contains more energy per volume. This is advantageous during colder months when higher energy output is required for heating purposes.
4. Cold Temperature Performance: Propane is known to maintain its performance even at low temperatures. It vaporizes well and remains functional, ensuring a reliable fuel source in winter conditions.
Overall, propane is the preferred gas to be stored in outdoor tanks during winter due to its higher vapor pressure, usability, energy density, and cold temperature performance.
To determine which gas would be suitable for storage in an outdoor tank during winter, we need to consider their physical properties. The primary factors to consider are the boiling points and vapor pressures of the gases.
Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas at a given pressure. Vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by the gas in equilibrium with its liquid phase at a given temperature.
Comparing the three options:
1. Methane (CH4): Methane has a boiling point of approximately -164 degrees Celsius (-259 degrees Fahrenheit) at atmospheric pressure. It has a low vapor pressure and is typically stored as a compressed gas. Due to its very low boiling point, it is not suitable for outdoor storage in winter conditions.
2. Propane (C3H8): Propane has a boiling point of approximately -42 degrees Celsius (-44 degrees Fahrenheit) at atmospheric pressure. It has a higher vapor pressure compared to methane and is commonly used for outdoor storage, especially in colder climates. Propane remains in a vapor state at lower temperatures and allows for efficient usage.
3. Butane (C4H10): Butane has a boiling point of approximately -0.5 degrees Celsius (31 degrees Fahrenheit) at atmospheric pressure. It has a higher vapor pressure compared to propane and methane. Butane can be used for outdoor storage in winter conditions, but it is less preferable compared to propane due to its higher boiling point, which can result in reduced vapor pressure and limited performance at very low temperatures.
In conclusion, out of the given options, propane (C3H8) would be the most suitable for outdoor storage in winter due to its lower boiling point and better performance under colder temperatures.