| What
is LPG or LP Gas? |
| LPG or LP Gas is Liquefied Petroleum
Gas. This is a general description of Propane (chemical formula C3H8)
and Butane (chemical formula C4H10), either stored separately or together
as a mix. |
| Why
is it called Liquefied Petroleum Gas? |
| This is because these gases can be
liquefied at normal temperature by application of a moderate pressure
increase, or at normal pressure by application of cooling using refrigeration. |
| Where
does LPG come from? |
| LPG
comes from two sources. It occurs naturally in oil and gas fields and is
separated from the other components during the extraction process from the
oil or gas field. LPG is also one of the by-products of the oil refining
process. |
| What
is LPG used for? |
| LPG is used as a fuel for domestic, industrial, horticultural,
agricultural, cooking, heating and drying processes. LPG can be used as an automotive fuel or as a
propellant for aerosols, in addition to other specialist applications. LPG can also be used to provide
lighting through the use of pressure lanterns. |
| What
are the advantages of LPG? |
|
The advantages of LPG are as follows
- Because if its relatively fewer components, it is
easy to achieve the correct fuel to air mix ratio that allows
the complete combustion of the product. This gives LPG its clean
burning characteristics.
- Both Propane and Butane are easily liquefied and stored
in pressure containers. These properties make the fuel highly portable,
and hence, can be easily transported in cylinders or tanks to end-users.
- LPG is a good substitute for petrol in spark ignition
engines. Its clean burning properties, in a properly tuned engine, give reduced
exhaust emissions, extended lubricant and spark plug life.
- As a replacement for aerosol propellants and refrigerants,
LPG provides alternatives to fluorocarbons which are known to cause deterioration of
the earth's ozone layer.
- The clean burning properties and portability of LPG provide
a substitute for indigenous fuels such as wood, coal, and other organic matter. This
provides a solution to de-forestation and the reduction of particulate matter in the
atmosphere (haze), caused by burning the indigenous fuels.
|
| What
are the Properties of LPG? |
|
LPG is:
- Colourless.
- Odourless. (It is normal to odorise
LPG by adding an odorant prior to supply to the user, to aid the
detection of any leaks).
- Flammable.
- Heavier than air.
- Approximately half the weight of water.
- Non toxic but can cause asphyxiation.
- LPG expands upon release and 1 litre
of liquid will form approximately 250 litres of vapour.
|
Property
|
Units
|
Commercial
Propane
|
Commercial
Butane
|
General
Product 50/50 Propane Butane
|
|
Relative density of
liquid at 15
|
|
0.508
|
0.573
|
Minimum 0.508
Maximum 0.573 Typical
|
|
Relative density of
vapour. Air = 1
|
|
1.58
|
2.06
|
1.73
|
|
Vapour
Pressure at:
|
KPa
|
|
|
|
|
-10C
|
(gauge)
|
256
|
4
|
185
|
|
0C
|
|
388
|
40
|
292
|
|
10C
|
|
552
|
95
|
424
|
|
20C
|
|
757
|
172
|
593
|
|
30C
|
|
1004
|
266
|
796
|
|
Flammability Limits at 15oC and 101.325 kPa in air
|
%v/v
|
|
|
|
|
Lower limit
|
|
1.9
|
1.9
|
2.1
|
|
Upper Limit
|
9.5
|
8.5
|
8.5
|
9.2
|
|
Heat Value
|
MJ/kg
|
50.3
|
49.6
|
49.95
|
|
| |
|
|
