Description
Pentane is a simple, straight-chain alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C5H12. It is a colorless, highly volatile liquid at room temperature, meaning it evaporates very easily into a gas. It has a characteristic gasoline-like odour.
Key Properties:
- Colourless: Invisible as a liquid or gas.
- Odour: Distinctive gasoline-like smell.
- Highly Volatile: Evaporates rapidly at room temperature.
- Extremely Flammable/Explosive: This is its primary hazard. Pentane vapour forms highly flammable and explosive mixtures with air at relatively low concentrations.
- Non-toxic (Asphyxiant/Narcotic): While not inherently toxic in small amounts, at very high concentrations, pentane can act as a simple asphyxiant by displacing oxygen. It can also have narcotic effects (dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness) at lower hazardous concentrations.
- Density: Its vapour is heavier than air, so it tends to accumulate in low-lying areas, pits, and confined spaces.
Replacement Sensor, Part No. 17124975-K, Properties
Gas Detected (Abbreviation) |
Sensor Type | Measurement | Response time (Seconds) |
Calibration Gas & Concentration |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range | Resolution | T50 | T90 | |||
Pentane C5H12 |
Catalytic | 0 to 100%LEL | 1% LEL | 10 | 30 | Pentane 25% LEL |
This MX6 replacement cell is supplied calibrated for Pentane. Exposure to other flammable gases can create lower than expected readings and care should be taken in areas that may have Methane or Hydrogen gas, as readings may be half the correct values.
LEL Correlation Factors for Combustible Gases
Sample gas* | LEL (% vol) | LEL correlation factors | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Butane | Hexane | Hydrogen | Methane | Pentane | Propane | |||
Acetone | 2.5 % | 1.00 | 0.70 | 1.70 | 1.70 | 0.90 | 1.10 | |
Acetylene | 2.5 % | 0.70 | 0.60 | 1.30 | 1.30 | 0.70 | 0.80 | |
Benzene | 1.2 % | 1.10 | 0.80 | 1.90 | 1.90 | 1.00 | 1.20 | |
Butane | 1.9 % | 1.00 | 0.58 | 1.78 | 1.67 | 0.83 | 1.03 | |
Ethane | 3.0 % | 0.80 | 0.60 | 1.30 | 1.30 | 0.70 | 0.80 | |
Ethanol | 3.3 % | 0.89 | 0.52 | 1.59 | 1.49 | 0.74 | 0.92 | |
Ethylene | 2.7 % | 0.80 | 0.60 | 1.40 | 1.30 | 0.70 | 0.90 | |
Hexane | 1.1 % | 1.71 | 1.00 | 3.04 | 2.86 | 1.42 | 1.77 | |
Hydrogen | 4.0 % | 0.56 | 0.33 | 1.00 | 0.94 | 0.47 | 0.58 | |
Isopropanol | 2.0 % | 1.10 | 0.90 | 2.00 | 1.90 | 1.00 | 1.20 | |
Methane | 5.0 % | 0.60 | 0.35 | 1.06 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 0.62 | |
Methanol | 6.0 % | 0.60 | 0.50 | 1.10 | 1.10 | 0.60 | 0.70 | |
Nonane | 0.8 % | 2.22 | 1.30 | 3.95 | 3.71 | 1.84 | 2.29 | |
Pentane | 1.4 % | 1.21 | 0.71 | 2.15 | 2.02 | 1.00 | 1.25 | |
Propane | 2.1 % | 0.97 | 0.57 | 1.72 | 1.62 | 0.80 | 1.00 | |
Styrene | 0.9 % | 1.30 | 1.00 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 1.10 | 1.40 | |
Toluene | 1.1 % | 1.53 | 0.89 | 2.71 | 2.55 | 1.26 | 1.57 | |
Xylene | 1.1 % | 1.50 | 1.10 | 2.60 | 2.50 | 1.30 | 1.60 | |
JP-4 | – | – | – | – | – | 1.20 | – | |
JP-5 | – | – | – | – | – | 0.90 | – | |
JP-8 | – | – | – | – | – | 1.50 | – |
The table above provides the LEL for select combustible gases*. It also provides correlation factors that help the safety technician and instrument operator determine the actual percentage LEL when the sample gas differs from the gas that was used to calibrate the unit.
For example, if the unit reads 10% LEL in a pentane atmosphere, and was calibrated to methane, the actual percentage LEL is determined as follows:
1. Locate the table cell where the sample gas (pentane) intersects with the calibration gas (methane).
2. Multiply the cell’s value (2.02) by the unit’s LEL reading (10%) to calculate the actual concentration of 20.2% LEL.
*The combustible gas list is not a comprehensive list of all combustible gases that can be detected by the MX6. For additional information about combustible gas detection and the MX6, contact the Industrial Scientific Technical Service department.