What is LPG?
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a term used for hydrocarbon gases. It is produced either as a by-product when refining crude oil or direct from the Seas oil or gas wells.The two most common LPG gases are known as Commercial Propane and Commercial Butane
Commercial Butane is predominately stored in blue cylinders up to 15kg and generally used for leisure applications and mobile heaters.
Commercial Propane is predominately stored in red cylinders and bulk storage vessels and especially used for heating, cooking and numerous commercial & industrial applications.
LPG has one key characteristic that distinguishes it from Natural Gas. Under modest pressure LPG gas vapour becomes a liquid. This makes it easy to be stored and transported in specially constructed vessels and cylinders.
The combustion of LPG produces Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and water vapour therefore sufficient air must be available for appliances to burn efficiently. Inadequate appliance flueing and ventilation can result in the production of toxic Carbon Monoxide (CO).
Everyone concerned with the storage and handling of LPG should be familiar with the key characteristics and potential hazards.
Typical Properties
Behaviour
LPG exists as a gas at normal atmospheric pressures & 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 by the human nose at very low levels.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 propagate a flame.Vapourisation
One volume of liquid will produce approximately 250 volume of gas vapour.Vapour Density
LPG vapour is heavier than air. Any escape 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.Liquid Density
LPG liquid 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 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 vessels 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 7bar (100psi) at 15°C (Similar to the pressure found in a lorry tyre).
Commercial Butane has a vapour pressure of approximately 2bar (30psi) at 15°C (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.
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 87%.Boiling Point
The boiling point is the temperature below which LPG will not vaporise to form gas vapour.Boiling point of Commercial Propane is approximately - 42°C
Boiling point of Commercial Butane is approximately - 2°C
Therefore, Commercial Butane can be affected by cold weather resulting in poor pressure and should not be used outdoors in winter months.
Commercial Propane is not adversely affected by cold weather in the UK and is an ideal fuel source for heating, cooking and industrial applications.
