LPG (Liquified Petroelum Gas)

Liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, or autogas) is a flammable mixture

of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles. It is increasingly used as
an aerosol propellant and a refrigerant, replacing chlorofluorocarbons in an effort to reduce damage
to the ozone layer. Varieties of LPG bought and sold include mixes that are primarily propane, mixes
that are primarily butane, and most common mixes including both propane C3H8 and butane C4H10,
depending on the season — in winter more propane, in summer more butane. Propylene and
butylenes are usually also present in small concentration. A powerful odorant, ethanethiol, is added
so that leaks can be detected easily.
LPG will evaporate at normal temperatures and pressures and is supplied in
pressurised steel cylinders. They are typically filled to between 80% and 85% of their capacity to
allow for thermal expansion of the contained liquid. The ratio between the volumes of the vaporized
gas and the liquefied gas varies depending on composition, pressure, and temperature, but is
typically around 250:1. The pressure at which LPG becomes liquid, called its vapour pressure,
likewise varies depending on composition and temperature; for example, it is approximately
220 kilopascals (2.2 bar) for pure butane at 20 °C (68 °F), and approximately 2.2 megapascals (22
bar) for pure propane at 55 °C (131 °F).

Pertamina has confirmed that the composition of LPG pertamina’s mixture which contains
50% propane and 50% butane is compatible with governments regulation. Either from the
composition or the vapor pressure which has calculated depend on the calorie or fuel power
required to cooking or household needs.

The Vice President Corporate Communication Pertamina, M Harun also said that Pertamina
gives priority to LPG consumer safety so that composition is the most optimun for household needs.
And also he said that according to the LPG specification of Direktorat Jendral Minyak & Gas Bumi
No. 26525.K/10/DJM.T/2009, the LPG product composition at least contains of Propane (C 3) and
Butane (C4) mixture of 97% and maximum 2% is the pentane (C5) and heavier hydrocarbon mixture.
The Propane and Butane composition boundary in that specification limited by the determined
maximum vapor pressure parameter (145 psi). The composition has been used since the beginning
of the conversion program and did not change by considering the availability of raw materials and
considering Propane mostly provided from oil & gas field, while butane produced from oil refineries.

In terms of safety, that composition is the optimum composition, because the composition
of the mixture is maintained at a pressure level of 120 psi or 8 bars or 8 times of the outside air
pressure. This pressure is one third of the working pressure designed for the valve / LPG valve (which
is at the top of the LPG 12 kg or 3 kg) of 24 bar. In addition, these compositions have considered the
safety and the accessory ability appropriate to SNI standard.

Previously, the Observer of Public Policy and Consumer protection, Agus Pambagio states
that the composition of 12 Kg LPG cylinder is 60% butane and 40% Propane. So, potentially harming
consumers about 210 billion per year. He also said that the potential for such losses arise due to
changes in the composition of propane and butane content of 12 Kg LPG that from 40% butane and
propane 60%composition, to 60% butane and propane 40%, has made some remaining butane gas
when the LPG runs out. This happens because the butane fuel power is lower than propane. In terms
of pricing, he added, this composition changes is not bring a loss, instead give benefit to our country
and also Pertamina. Because the price of that two chemical substances are relatively
similar. However, from the consumer side, of course it is harmful because when the 12 Kg LPG runs
out, there are some butane left because of the butane fuel power which lower than propane. For
example if someone used the 12 kg LPG cylinder, this will bring loss to consumer because he pay for
12 kg LPG cylinder, not for 11 kg.

Harun also ensure that the findings of suspected residual liquid butane (C4) or Pentane (5)
inside the 12 kg LPG cylinder, considered that the 12 kg LPG cylinder is the LPG injection result.