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Properties of LPG 1
Properties of LPG 1
Properties of LPG 1
What is LPG
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a product
of the Oil and Gas Industry.
LPG = It is a mixture of two gases – 60% propane
40% Butane and 40% butane for commercial LPG. The
+
60%Propane
higher grade propane mix is approximately
90% propane and 10% butane.
At room temperature LPG is a gas, but it
can easily be compressed to a liquid which
is easier to store and transport.
Physical Properties
It is important to know the physical
properties of LPG because this will help you
to handle the fuel safely and correctly.
Typical Properties of LPG
Butane Propane
Boiling Point in C at 0 -42
atmospheric pressure
Relative density (SG) at 15 C 0.57-0.58 0.50-0.51
Density
LPG liquid is only about half as dense as
water. This means that as a liquid it will
float on water.
LPG vapour is denser than air. This means
that it will sink to the ground and accumulate
in low spots.
250ltr
Viscosity
LPG has a very low viscosity which means it
moves very easily. LPG may leak from
systems that can otherwise hold water or
other petroleum products.
Because LPG vapour is heavier than air,
when it does leak it will sink to the ground
and accumulate in any low spots.
The Smell
In its natural form LPG has no smell.
However, most commercial LPG is given a
smell so that leaks can be easily detected.
The smell is described as being like rotten
cabbages with a touch of garlic.
Enough smell is added so that leaking LPG
can be detected before it forms a flammable
gas/air mixture.
Some LPG which is used as lighter fuel or
as an aerosol propellant is unodorised.
Breathing LPG
LPG is not poisonous but it is an asphyxiant.
If you breathe in the vapour, this will
displace the oxygen your body needs and
you will suffocate.
Breathing LPG in small doses can produce
nausea and cause headaches.
Breathing LPG is bad for your health
Igniting LPG
A mixture of air and LPG can be ignited if
the amount of LPG in the air is between
about 2% and 10%
The mixture of air and LPG must be heated
to above 380 C before it will ignite
spontaneously.
Limits of Flammability
2.4 9.5
Propane 0% LPG 100%LPG
100% Air 0% Air
1.8 8.5
Butane 0% LPG 100%LPG
100% Air 0% Air
2% 10%
LPG 0% LPG 100%LPG
100% Air 0% Air
1% 6%
Petrol 0% Petrol 100%
Petrol
100% Air 0% Air
5% 15%
Natural Gas 0% LPG 100% Gas
100% Air 0% Air
3% 95%
Acetylene 0% Acet 100% Acet
100% Air 0% Air
Lean Rich
Flame Temperature
The maximum flame temperature for LPG is
2,000C.
The maximum flame temperature is 1,930C
for propane and 1,900C for butane.
Butane Propane
Ignition Temperature in C 475 466
Maximum burning velocity 0.38 0.45
meters per second
Maximum flame temperature in 1,900 1,930
C
Maximum ignition energy in 0.25 0.25
millijoules
Ignition Energy
The ignition energy needed to start
combustion of hydrocarbon vapours is very
low. It is usually less than one millijoule.
This energy is significantly less than that
from any visible flame, most electrical
sparks and electrostatic discharges down to
the lowest level detectable by human
contact.
Any electrical apparatus larger than a digital wrist-watch has the potential to generate
enough energy to ignite LPG vapour. This is why we need suitable, well maintained
equipment for use in hazardous atmospheres where flammable gases may be
present.