Which gas burns hotter than propane?

Which gas burns hotter than propane?

• A. Methane
• B. Ethane
• C. MAPP gas
• D. Natural gas

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that flame temperature depends on the fuel’s chemical makeup and how it reacts with oxygen. MAPP gas is formulated to burn hotter than propane because its components (methylacetylene and propadiene) release more energy and tend to produce a higher adiabatic flame temperature in typical welding conditions. That higher energy release translates to a hotter flame when you’re using the same oxygen supply, which is why MAPP is favored when more heat is needed for brazing or welding. Methane and natural gas (mostly methane) have simpler molecules and overall lower energy release in the same setup, giving cooler flames than MAPP. Ethane has more energy than methane, but under common torch conditions its flame temperature still isn’t as high as MAPP’s. So, the hotter flame among these options is MAPP gas.

The main idea here is that flame temperature depends on the fuel’s chemical makeup and how it reacts with oxygen. MAPP gas is formulated to burn hotter than propane because its components (methylacetylene and propadiene) release more energy and tend to produce a higher adiabatic flame temperature in typical welding conditions. That higher energy release translates to a hotter flame when you’re using the same oxygen supply, which is why MAPP is favored when more heat is needed for brazing or welding.

Methane and natural gas (mostly methane) have simpler molecules and overall lower energy release in the same setup, giving cooler flames than MAPP. Ethane has more energy than methane, but under common torch conditions its flame temperature still isn’t as high as MAPP’s. So, the hotter flame among these options is MAPP gas.