LPG: Liquified Petroleum Gas, LP Gas, Propane – LPG vs Natural Gas – What is LPG
What is LPG? Liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) is the flammable hydrocarbon gases propane gas, butane, isobutane and mixes of the three gases.
LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) is used in gas heating, cooking, LPG hot water, various commercial LP gas – LPG in gas applications, and LP gas vehicles.
LPG (propane) is used indoors in homes and outdoors as LP gas – LPG in gas BBQs, camp stoves and many other applications.
What is LPG – Liquified Petroleum Gas – Define LP
Liquified petroleum gas is also spelled liquefied petroleum gas LPG and liquid petroleum gas.
What is LPG? To define LPG (liquified petroleum gas), there are a number of fuel
LPG Gas
Gases that fall under the definition of LPG (propane) – liquefied petroleum gas LPG label, including propane, butane (n-butane) and isobutane (i-butane), as well as mixtures of these gases.
They are also referred to as natural gas liquids or NGLs.
LP gas – LPG (propane) – liquified petroleum gas is colourless and odourless until an odourant is added for safety reasons.
When compressed, liquid petroleum gas takes liquid form, and when burnt LP gas – LPG (propane) has a high energy content.
LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) can be conveniently stored and transported as LPG in gas bottles and LPG tanks.
Liquified petroleum gas LPG is an excellent fuel as LP gas – LPG in gas heating, cooking, and many other applications.
LP Gas – LPG Gas Constituents – LPG Composition – What is LPG made of? LPG Gas vs Natural Gas
Liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane gas) is made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms forming propane gas and butane gas whilst natural gas is made up of lighter methane.
The LP gas – LPG constituents (LPG composition) can be either propane gas, butane gas or a composition of the two. Isobutane may also be an LPG.
Considering LPG gas vs natural gas, the LPG (LP gas) flammable hydrocarbon gases, including propane gas, are liquefied through pressurisation and commonly used as fuel.
Natural gas is liquefied cryogenically.
Storage of liquified petroleum gas LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) in gas vessels ranging from small BBQ LP gas bottles to larger propane gas cylinders and LPG tanks.
Propane Gas and Butane Gas as Natural Gas Liquids – NGLs
The typical LP gas – LPG gas constituents gases – propane gas and butane gas – are regarded as Natural Gas Liquids – NGLs.
However, not all NGLs are liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane).
Natural gas liquids, also called Condensate, include other hydrocarbons, too.
Interestingly, LNG – liquefied natural gas – is NOT a natural gas liquid.
What are Natural Gas Liquids – NGLs? Propane Gas and Butane Gas
Raw natural gas, as it comes out of the ground, contains a number of gases and compounds, as well as impurities.
However, it is predominantly methane (CH4) gas, which is more commonly known as natural gas.
The raw natural gas must be processed to obtain pipeline quality clean, dry natural gas (methane), including the removal of impurities.
NGLs – Natural Gas Liquids – or condensate are the heavier hydrocarbons that remain after the methane (dry natural gas) and impurities are removed.
NGLs include isobutane, ethane, ethene, propene, isobeutne, butadiene, pentane, pentene and pentanes plus, as well as propane gas and butane gas.
Natural gas liquids (NGL) range from 1% to 10% of the raw natural gas flow.
LPG Meaning: Various Names for Liquified Petroleum Gas – LPG – LP Gas – Propane
LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) LPG meaning is as an acronym for Liquified Petroleum Gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG).
Liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane ) when used in homes for cooking, heating and hot water it’s called LPG, LPG gas, LP gas or propane.
When used in vehicles LP gas – LPG (liquified petroleum gas) is generally called Autogas.
In small portable cylinders, liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) is sometimes referred to as BBQ gas or camping gas.
Commercial LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) applications tend to use the gas names, like propane or propane gas.
Propane gas is used as LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) LPG fuel, refrigerant, and petrochemicals.
Butane is used as LP gas – LPG fuel, refrigerant, and as an aerosol propellant.
Isobutane is used as as an aerosol propellant, refrigerant and as an additive in gasoline.
LPG Gas vs Natural Gas Differences – LPG vs Natural Gas Differences
- Looking at LPG vs natural gas (LPG gas vs natural gas), liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas is propane and/or butane while natural gas and methane gas are the same
Considering LPG vs natural gas (LPG gas vs natural gas), liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) is heavier than air and natural gas is lighter than air- Looking at LPG gas vs natural gas, LP gas (liquified petroleum gas) LPG in gas bottles is liquefied through pressurisation and natural gas is cryogenically turned into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and stored in cryogenic containers
- Distributing LPG vs natural gas (LPG gas vs natural gas), liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) is distributed as LP gas – LPG in gas bottles, cylinders, and tanks and natural gas can also be compressed into bottles whilst natural gas is conveyed via pipeline
- For the pressure of LPG gas vs natural gas (LPG vs natural gas), liquid petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) appliances operate at 2.75 kPa and natural gas appliances operate at 1.1 kPa
- Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) turns from liquid to gas at a relatively low temperature
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG – LP gas) : Propane gas is C3H8 & Butane gas is C4H10 whilst the Natural Gas and Methane formula is CH4
- For LPG vs natural gas (LPG gas vs natural gas), liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) has a higher energy content at 93.2MJ/m3 and natural gas is at 38.7MJ/m3
- Considering the air to gas ratio for LPG gas vs natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) requires a higher air to gas ratio for combustion at a 25 to 1 ratio and natural gas has a 10 to 1 ratio
- Considering LPG gas vs natural gas, natural gas and liquid petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) are both derived from natural gas processing.
- Natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) can also be derived through crude oil refining
- Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) is distributed as LP gas – LPG in gas bottles and tanks vs natural gas being conveyed via pipeline
- For LPG vs natural gas LPG gas vs natural gas), although there are major differences between the natural gas and natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) and natural gas are used for thousands of applications in homes and businesses.
Where Does Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Come From? LPG in Gas
For LPG gas vs natural gas, liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) gases are found naturally in combination with other hydrocarbons and fossil fuels, typically crude oil and natural gas.
LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) LPG (propane) is produced during natural gas processing, where it is stripped from the raw natural gas, where it is LPG in gas.
Liquified petroleum gas also comes from oil refining, where it is separated using heat.
When isolated, LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) can be liquefied through pressurisation and stored as LPG (propane) in gas pressure vessels commonly referred to as gas bottles, gas cylinders or gas tanks.
Elgas LPG (liquified petroleum gas) is stored in various ways.
• Small SWAP’n’GO bottles contain LP gas (liquified petroleum gas) LPG (propane) and is used as LPG in gas BBQs, camp stoves, and outdoor heating
• As LP gas – LPG (propane) in gas cylinders ranging from 45kg-210kg for homes and businesses
• Large LPG tanks (liquid petroleum gas) are used for industrial and commercial applications
Liquified Petroleum Gas Refined from Crude Oil
Crude oil is piped out of oil wells and into a gas trap, which separates the stream into crude oil products and ‘wet’ natural gas, which contains liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane gas), natural gas, and impurities.
The heavier crude oil sinks to the bottom of the trap and is then pumped into an oil storage tank and transported to refineries.
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) is one of the refined products derived from crude oil distillation.
Crude oil undergoes a variety of refining processes, including the use of distillation towers (see image), catalytic cracking, crude distillation, and others.
Once refined, LP gas (liquified petroleum gas) LPG (propane) is stored as a liquid LPG in gas bottles such as the familiar 45kg gas bottles.
The dry natural gas, which is methane, is piped to towns and cities as natural gas for distribution by gas utility companies.
What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG Used for?
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (propane) is used for LP gas cooking, LP gas heating, LPG hot water, Autogas, aerosol propellant, air conditioning refrigerant and various commercial applications, including boilers, dryers and ovens.
For home use LP gas (liquified petroleum gas) LPG (propane) is typically supplied in 45kg gas bottles.
LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) LPG (propane) has many additional uses for caravans, motorhomes, boats, camping and even hot air balloons.
Business, industrial and agricultural uses of liquified petroleum gas include processes such as LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) kilns, ovens, steam boilers and forklifts.
Vaporisation: LPG Liquid to Gas – LPG Gas Pressure
LP gas (liquified petroleum gas) LPG (propane) liquid turns back into gas vapour at its boiling point, -42 °C or -44 °F, when you release some of the LP gas – LPG gas pressure in the LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) gas bottle by turning on your LPG (LP gas) appliance.
The steel walls of the LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) LPG (propane) gas bottle draw heat from the ambient temperature to heat the liquid LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) and even more when you are using it.
If you could see through the steel walls, LP gas (liquified petroleum gas) LPG (propane) would look like boiling water (see image).
Vaporisation also makes the liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) in gas bottle feel colder than the ambient temperature and even colder when you are using the gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG).
The propane gas vapour is held at the top of the bottle and the liquid LPG (liquified petroleum gas) is at the bottom.
The level of fill of the LP gas – LPG (propane) in gas bottle comes into play when the LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) is being used, as it affects the rate of vaporisation.
The greater the fill, the greater the wall area in contact with the liquid (liquid petroleum gas), called the wetted area, and results in faster vaporisation.
An increase in temperature also results in faster vaporisation and higher LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) gas pressure.
As a liquified petroleum gas and at a constant temperature, the LP gas – LPG gas pressure inside the cylinder will remain the same from full until the last of the liquid LPG is vapourised.
What is LPG Gas Pressure of the LPG in Gas Cylinders?
The LP gas – LPG gas pressure of the liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) in gas bottles is dependent upon the temperature of the vessel.
The higher the temperature, the higher the LP gas – LPG (propane) gas pressure of the LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) in gas cylinders.
The LP gas – LPG (propane) gas pressure range for propane is from 152 kPa (24 PSIG) at 0ºC to 1794 kPa (257 PSIG) at 54ºC.
The propane gas exists as both liquid and vapour (gas) within the cylinder.
The term “pressure” refers to the average force per unit of area that the gas exerts on the inside walls of the LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) LPG (propane) gas cylinders.
The LP gas – LPG (propane) pressure drops to zero at -43ºC (which is just below the boiling point for propane) and the LPG gas pressure of LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) in gas bottles becomes greater at even higher temperatures.
LPG Compound Chemical Formulas (Formulae)
There are a number of LP gas – LPG (liquified petroleum gas) compound chemical formulas.
Starting with the lowest carbon chemical formula, the Ethane chemical formula is C2H6.
The propane gas chemical formula is C3H8.
Butane and Isobutane both have the same chemical formula, C4H10, as isobutane is an isomer of butane (liquefied petroleum gas LPG).
Pentane (n-pentane) chemical formula is C5H12, but is only a gas over 36.1°C.
Heavier hydrocarbons (pentanes plus) are liquids or waxy solids.
LPG (LPG Gas) is Heavier Than Air – Propane is Heavier than Air – LPG Gas vs Natural Gas Density
In answer to the frequently asked question “Is LPG heavier than air”, the answer is “YES”.
For example, if the density of air is equal to 1.00, the density of propane (liquified petroleum gas) is 1.53. So, LPG (propane) is heavier than air.
Butane (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) is even heavier, at 2.00. Isobutane is heavier still, at 2.07.
On the other hand, for LPG gas vs natural gas, natural gas – methane – is lighter than air, at about 60% of the density of air.
Eco-Friendly Clean Burning
Liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) is an eco-friendly energy choice, as it is a low-carbon and low-Sulphur fuel.
LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) gases, including propane gas, result in lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than other energy sources, such as coal-fired electricity.
Replacing your electric hot water system with a 6-Star LPG continuous flow hot water system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced from your hot water use by about 75%.
Liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) can help lower greenhouse emissions, as a transitional fuel, during the transition to renewable energy sources.
Make the Switch to ELGAS Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas – LPG (Propane)
If you are looking for an alternative to electricity, ELGAS liquified petroleum gas LP gas – LPG (propane) could be the perfect energy source for you.
Contact Elgas for LP gas – LPG (liquefied petroleum gas LPG) for home or business.
Our LP gas – LPG (propane) experts are on hand to answer any questions you have and will help you sort out the most cost-effective and energy-efficient LPG (LP gas) service for your needs.