Propane is a three-carbon alkane, normally a gas, but compressible to a liquid that is transportable. It is derived from other petroleum products during oil or natural gas processing. It is commonly used as a fuel for engines, barbecues, and home heating systems.When sold as fuel, it is commonly known as liquified petroleum gas (LPG or LP-gas) which can be a mixture of propane along with small amounts of propylene, butane, and butylene. The odorant ethanethiol is also added so that people can easily smell the gas in case of a leak.
Properties and reactions
Propane undergoes combustion reactions in a similar fashion to other alkanes. In the presence of excess oxygen, propane burns to form water and carbon dioxide.
C3H8 + 5O2 ? 3CO2 + 4H2O + heat
When not enough oxygen is present for complete combustion, propane burns to form water and carbon monoxide.
2C3H8 + 7O2 ? 6CO + 8H2O + heat
Unlike natural gas, propane is heavier than air (1.5 times denser). In its raw state, propane sinks
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane