What Is LPG

LPG is an abbreviation for ‘Liquefied Petroleum Gas’

It is a gas in normal conditions but is stored in cylinders under pressure as a liquid.

LPG is a fossil fuel closely linked to oil. About two thirds of the LPG is extracted directly from the Earth in the
same way as ordinary natural gas.

There are two basic types of LPG Propane and Butane. The difference in their properties means
that they are particularly suited to specific uses.

The chemical composition of Propane is C3H8 and Butane is C4H10. The larger Butane
molecule gives both gases differing properties
– Propane’s lower boiling point suits outdoor storage and is primarily used for central heating,
cooking and numerous commercial applications. Butane, on the other hand doesn’t work in
colder conditions, and is best used indoors and is perfect for powering indoor portable heaters, or
used in warmer months for outdoor camping and cooking.

Butane having a larger molecule when burnt in air dissipates more heat (higher calorific value
than propane and is proportional to the additional carbon atoms contained.

LPG is compressed under pressure into portable cylinders or road tankers which in turn fill static
bulk tanks at point of use. When the gas is compressed it easily changes to a liquid state so
allowing a large amount of gas (stored energy) to be contained in a relatively small space.

Likewise the reverse process occurs when decompressed or allowed to escape the cylinder or
pressure vessel. The liquid gas boils and quickly reverts to its gaseous state (vaporise) and so
LPG is often called a vapour.

The gas offtake decreases the gas pressure the pressure the pressurised container. This pressure is
regenerated by liquid vaporisation. The vaporisation need energy or heat and this is provided the
ambient air. This gives energy to the vessel to maintain the pressure but the heat exchange is not
perfect as the temperature of the liquid starts decreases and consequently the pressure decreases.

Therefore cylinders and bulk tanks have recommended offtake rates of vapour withdraw to
ensure that the ambient air is sufficient to heat the pressurised container maintaining the required
force to power the downstream gas appliances.

The larger the pressurised container, the greater the surface area in contact with the liquid LPG
then the more vapour can be generated.
To recap – LPG when in a suitable pressurised tank or cylinder it will remain liquid, occupying
only a small space. Release some of the liquid and it will immediately boil and revert to its
gaseous state, expanding as it does so. Liquid Propane expands to 250 times its liquid volume
when reverting to gas. The reverse applies, as gaseous LPG will ‘shrink’ by 250 times when
compressed and liquefaction takes place.

The liquid is boiling, releasing vapour (gas) as it does so just like boiling water releases steam,
(vapour) albeit at a much cooler temperature. Propane will do this right down to minus 42
degrees C, which ensures that it will vaporise in all but the coldest climates and conditions.

Butane however will only vaporise readily from temperatures 0 – 2 degrees Celsius, so when
stored outdoors appliances in the winter will need a propane supply.

Installers Technical Tip – Commercial propane contains some butane and occasionally remains
as a liquid in containers during sustained cold weather conditions. Propane having a lower
boiling point preferentially evaporates first. Only when the remaining butane liquid warms up
will it start to produce pressure. This can sometimes be seen when an automatic changeover
switches to reserve cylinder bank before all the contents has emptied normally in very cold
weather conditions. However once the cylinder has warmed then the residual butane will
evaporate providing sufficient pressure to pass through the regulator to the appliances.

Properties of LPG (Propane)

LPG Boiling Point

Water boils at 100°C or 212°F, becoming a gas (steam).

In contrast, LPG boils at -42°C or -44°F, becoming gas vapor.

LPG stays liquid because it is under pressure in a gas cylinder.

As a liquid, it looks a lot like water.

It is colorless and odorless in its natural state.

LPG Pressure Varies with Temperature

As previously mentioned, when LPG is stored in a gas bottle, it is under pressure.

The term “pressure” refers to the average force per unit of area that the gas exerts on
the inside walls of the gas bottle.
(LPG Pressure-Temperature Chart shown)

Pressure is measured in kilopascals (kPa) or pounds per square inch (psi).

“Bar” is yet another unit of measure for pressure.

1 Bar = 100 kPa, so it is metric based but not an SI unit of measure.

LPG pressure can vary greatly based on temperature, as shown in the chart.

The level of fill in the gas bottle comes into play when the LPG is being used, as it
affects the rate of vaporization.

As LPG is a liquefied gas, the pressure inside the cylinder will remain the same from full
until the last of the liquid LPG is vaporized.

Then the pressure will fall quickly as the last of the LPG vapor is used, as well.

Odorant is Added for Safety

Commercial LPG Properties
Behaviour

LPG exists as a gas at normal atmospheric pressure & temperatures, but may be liquefied by the
application of moderate pressure. If the pressure is released the liquid will revert back to vapour.

Colour

LPG as a liquid is colourless and as a vapour, cannot be seen.

Smell

Pure LPG has no distinctive smell so for safety reasons a stenching agent is added during
production to give a pungent, unpleasant smell and so aid detection.

Toxicity

LPG is non-toxic but at very high concentrations in air, LPG vapour acts as an anaesthetic and
subsequently an asphyxiate by diluting or decreasing the available oxygen.

Flammability

When LPG is mixed with air, a highly flammable mixture is produced. The flammability range is
between 2% to 11% by volume of gas to air. Outside this range any mixture is wither to weak or
rich to potentially ignite.

Vaporisation

One volume of liquid will produce approximately 250 volume of gas vapour. “A little goes a
long way, treat LPG with respect”

Vapour Density

LPG vapour is heavier than air. Any escapes will find its way to the lowest level where it can
remain and form a flammable mixture. Therefore LPG vessels must be sited away from drains
and appliances must not be sited in basements or cellars. Cylinders in boats and ships must be
stored in purpose built sealed gas lockers.
Liquid Density

LPG is lighter than water and therefore floats on top of it in a similar way to oil and petrol.
Therefore LPG vessels must be sited away from drains and gullies.

Vapour Pressure

The pressure LPG exerts on a vessel varies with ambient temperature. The higher the
temperature of the liquid the higher the vapour pressure, conversely the lower the temperature
the lower the pressure. This means LPG must be protected from heat sources and protective
safety distances imposed on the siting and storage of LPG.

Commercial Propane has a vapour pressure of approximately 2bar (30psi) at 15oC (similar to the
pressure found in a lorry tyre).

Commercial Butane has a vapour pressure of approximately 2bar (30psi at 15oC (similar to the
pressure found in a car tyre).

Because of these characteristics Commercial Butane can be used indoors and Commercial
Propane must only be used outdoors.

Technical Typical Properties Commercial Commercial

Of Commercial LPG Grades Propane Butane

Gas: Air ratio for combustion 1:24 1:30

Flame temperature in air max. *C 1930 1900

Flame Speed cm/sec 44 44

Relative Density of liquid at 15.6*C (Water at

0.51 0.58
0*C = 1.0)

Litre/tonne at 15.6*C 1975 1742

Relative Density of gas at 15.6*C (Air at 15.6*C

1.52 2.01
= 1.0)

Volumes of gas (litres) per kg of liquid at 15.6*C 537 411

Ratio gas: liquid volume at 15.6*C 279 238

Boiling Point at 1 atm. *C -45 -2

 Vapour Pressure-typical bar g at 0*C / 15.6*C 3.8 / 6.4 0.5 / 1.6

Limits of flammability (percentage of gas by vol.

10 / 2 9 / 1.8
In gas-air mixture) Upper / Lower

Expansion

When LPG is heated it expands very rapidly. In order to allow for expansion LPG
cylinders and tanks are only filled by volume to a maximum of 85% of the total volume
of the retaining vessel.

Boiling Point

The boiling point is the temperature below which LPG will not vaporise to form a gas
vapour.
Boiling point of Commercial Propane is approximately – 42oC
Boiling point of Commercial Butane is approximately – 2oC