Buy Heptane: Definition, Properties, Utilization

Experts predict that the heptane market will reach $166.5 million by 2028. That evaluation will be a massive boom from the $134.8 million value in 2021.

But what is this compound? Why should you buy heptane? And how can the solvent assist your industrial or lab processes? Below, you’ll learn all about the product. Let’s dive in.

What is Heptane?

Heptane is a colorless liquid that chemists classify as a short-chain alkane. Manufacturers extract the solvent from petroleum. And for that reason, the product also smells like gas.

Fuel companies utilize the solvent as the gold standard for octane ratings. That grading system refers to the fuel’s tolerance to withstand compression in internal combustion engines without exploding. 

Hence, you’ll find the U.S and other world gas stations using heptane to measure gasoline quality.

What are the Properties of Heptane?

Low Density

Heptane has a density of 684kg/m³. That characteristic makes the solvent suitable for industrial purposes like separatory funnels and sample electric conductance measurements. 

Manufacturers can easily separate heptane and water mixtures. Why? Because the product solubilizes in water at a slow rate of 0.0003% at 25°C. And at the same time, water dissolves in the solvent at a 0.01% rate at 25°C.

Low Toxicity 

Most people use heptane because it is less toxic than some other products. However, the compound is still neurotoxic. And the solvent will cause hallucinations, dizziness and loss of motor function upon slight exposure. Therefore, use that liquid in a well-ventilated area to prevent accidental fume inhalation.

Low Boiling Point

The product has a boiling point of 98.42 degrees Celsius. Therefore, you can utilize heptane as the ideal laboratory solvent because it is easy to separate from your samples. Also, through that reagent, you’ll have a purer end product.

Low Evaporation Rate

Heptane’s slow evaporation makes it a good fuel source. How? The reduced volatility and high vapor pressure preserve the fuel's energy. Consequently, that property prevents energy wastage and increases the fuel’s effectiveness compared to other solvents.

How Can You Utilize Heptane?

Heptane as a Laboratory Solvent

Scientists, researchers and students can benefit from heptane as a reagent or non-polar solvent. Furthermore, many people use the liquid as a catalyst for organic reactions. And you can also utilize that product as a noble gas reagent. The solvent makes those applications efficient because you won’t contaminate your samples.

Ink Manufacturing

Heptane based inks give your documents a smooth, shiny and long-lasting finish. That solvent works by suspending the dye in your printer ink, stamp pad ink and ballpoint pen ink. Another mechanism behind that utility is that the product has a slow evaporation rate. And it readily mixes with the additives, carriers, and colorants in ink.

Manufacturing Anesthesia

Pharmaceutical companies make anesthesia using heptane for use in a surgical setting. Doctors then use that product to stop pain perception in their clients and smooth line clinical operations. Moreover, the patients become unconscious, thus allowing the physician to carry out long and intense procedures.

Oil Extraction

Manufacturers use heptane in olive and corn oil extraction as an alternative to the expensive machine press technique. People primarily prefer the solvent because it’s environmentally friendly and produces a high yield. But other advantages include cheapness and increased effectiveness.

Making Gasoline

Fuel companies use the product because it has a 0% octane rating. However, the solvent combusts and depletes in engines fast to release heat, and thus it’s not preferred to run vehicles. Hence, you’ll mostly find that solvent in laboratories and extracting companies.

The best energy source should have a high-octane concentration to provide anti-knocking properties. So instead, companies use heptane as a baseline to decide what fuel to use on the same scale.

Other Uses

You can use heptane in making industrial products such as stove fuel, rubber cement, compounders, and paint coatings.

How to Handle Heptane

Follow these procedures to prevent accidents when applying heptane, especially if you're handling the product without the help of a professional.

● Use the highly flammable solvent in a well-ventilated area to prevent fires.

● Wear protective gear to prevent skin contact that leads to nasty skin irritation and erosion.

● Read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before using heptane.

Conclusion

Heptane is a nonpolar liquid with unique properties such as low density, boiling point, evaporation and toxicity. Those characteristics make the product useful in many everyday applications. 

The main uses of that solvent are in the laboratory as a reagent, oil extraction, and making inks. You’ll also find gas stations using the product as a reference for testing fuel quality.

Author’s bio: Nikolay Stoyanov is the owner of CBDadvertising.agency. Nik’s company offers high-quality cannabis SEO services to CBD brands in the United States.