8/22/2006
Here’s some LPG info I’ve gathered:
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Basic Facts About LP-Gas |
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Pounds per gallon |
4.24 |
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Specific gravity of gas |
1.50 |
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Specific gravity of liquid |
504 |
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Cu. ft. gas per gallon liquid |
36.38 |
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Cu. Ft. gas per pound |
8.66 |
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BTU per gallon |
91,502 |
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BTU per pound |
21,548 |
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Dew point in degrees F |
-44F |
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Vapor pressure at 0º F |
.31 psi |
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Vapor pressure at 70º F |
96 psi |
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Vapor pressure at 100º F |
127 psi |
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Vapor pressure at 110º F |
230 psi |
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In cold climates, in order to keep vaporization of LP-gas at the highest level, keep the fuel levels above 50%. |
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Average LP-Gas Capacities In Cylinders |
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LBS. |
GALLONS |
BTU |
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5 |
1.18 |
107,903 |
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10 |
2.36 |
215,807 |
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11 |
2.59 |
237,387 |
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20 |
4.72 |
431,613 |
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30 |
7.08 |
647,420 |
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40 |
9.43 |
863,226 |
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The above capacities allow for the 20% vapor space on each cylinder. |
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Conversion Table |
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Gallons to Liters (1 Gallon = 3.785 liters) |
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Fº to Cº (Fº = 9/5 Cº + 32º) |
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11″ Water Column = 6 1/4 oz. Psi. |
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27.7″ Water Column = 1 lb. Psi. |
What is propane?
Propane, LP Gas, bottled gas, butane, and propylene are some of the names used to identify liquefied petroleum gas. LP gases are in the family of hydrocarbons, but not all hydrocarbons are liquefied petroleum gases.
Propane is normally stored in a pressure vessel as both a vapor and a liquid under moderate pressure. In its natural state it is colorless, tasteless, odorless and non-toxic. It is produced through the oil refining process or is stripped out of natural gas. In most cases an odorant is added to serve as a warning agent of a possible gas leak. The odorant most commonly used is Ethyl Mercaptan.
PROPANE EXPANDS
Propane liquid will expand 270 time as it changes from a liquid state to a vapor state. For example, one gallon of liquid stored under pressure in a container will expand to approximately 270 gallons of vapor if released to the atmosphere.
PROPANE TEMPERATURE
Propane boils at 44 degrees below zero ( -44 degrees F / -42.2 degrees C).
PROPANE SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Specific gravity is the weight of a product compared to the weight of water or air. The specific gravity of propane vapor is 1.50; air is 1. This means that propane vapor weighs one and one-half times more than air. Since propane is heavier than air, it will normally seek out low areas. This behavior can easily be affected by air currents. The specific gravity of propane liquid is 0.504; water is 1. Therefore, propane liquid is lighter than water.
PROPANE WEIGHT
One gallon of propane weighs 4.2 pounds.
HOW OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AFFECTS PROPANE
Temperature has a direct relationship to propane pressure. A pot of water placed on a stove at a high temperature will eventually boil over. In the same way, an increase in outside temperatures will cause an increase in the pressure in a LP gas container. As the pressure increases, the volume of the liquid will also expand in the container. For example, water expands at 2.2. percent. At a temperature rise from 160 degrees F to 600 degrees F, liquid propane would expand 25 percent and steel would expand only 0.19 percent. The fact that propane reacts more quickly to outside temperature changes and expands more rapidly emphasizes the importance of never overfilling an LP gas container. No LP gas container should ever be filled more than 80 percent full without temperature correction.
LP gas vapor makes an excellent fuel. For any fire to occur, three ingredients are needed: fuel, heat and oxygen. Heat can exist many ways, such as in the form of an open flame, a lighted cigar or cigarette, an arc formed by an electrical switch, ignition on an auto, or static electricity. In the right combination with oxygen, these three ingredients make up the necessary components of the “fire triangle.”
While propane vapor is readily ignitable, it has a very narrow flammability range when compared to other petroleum products. In order to ignite, the propane/air mix must contain from 2.15 percent to 9.60 percent propane vapor. This means that a propane/air mixture containing less than 2.15 percent gas is too lean to burn. If the mixture contains more than 9.6 percent gas, it is too rich to burn.
The range of flammability is important to remember when LP gas is transferred or discharged. If the propane/air mixture is within flammability range, sources of ignition could include fans, electrical switches, auto ignition, static electricity or cigarettes. It should also be noted that many cellular phone companies have warning statements in the owners’ manuals cautioning against the use of cellular phones in an area where flammable or combustible gases are present. The ignition temperature of propane is approximately 920 degrees F to 1120 degrees F. By comparison, a cigarette will burn at approximately 600 degrees F to 1350 degrees F, and a light switch will arc at 2,000 degrees F.
PROPANE IS NON-TOXIC
Propane is nontoxic and not harmful to breathe in small concentrations. However, breathing large concentrations may result in suffocation. Inhaling propane vapor may produce dizziness, loss of coordination, unconsciousness or death.
What Makes Propane So Exceptional?
Well, for starters, propane is one of the nation’s most versatile sources of energy and supplies 3 to 4 percent of our total energy needs. Nearly 11 billion gallons of propane are consumed annually in the U.S. by more than 60 million Americans who use propane every day in their homes, on farms, for vehicles, and even for recreation.
People trust and rely on propane for heating and cooling their homes, heating water, cooking, refrigeration, drying clothes, barbecuing, lighting, and fueling their gas fireplaces. This exceptional fuel is available anywhere in the U.S. and burns cleanly, so it’s environmentally friendly.
But don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself why so many Americans choose propane as their energy source.
Facts
Propane vehicle tanks are constructed from carbon steel under a code developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
A propane tank is 20 times more puncture resistant than a typical gasoline, methanol or ethanol tank.
New propane cylinders are manufactured with a device that shuts off the filling process when the tank reaches 80 percent of its liquid capacity. This allows for changes in fuel volume caused by temperature variations without any release of gas from the tank.
Propane engine fuel systems are fitted with safety devices and shut-off valves that function automatically if the fuel line ruptures.
Propane has the lowest flammability range of any alternative fuel.
Propane leaks are easily detected because an odorant with a scent similar to rotten eggs is added as a safety measure.
Propane is a nontoxic, nonpoisonous fuel that doesn’t contaminate aquifers or soil.
Unlike gasoline and alcohol fuels, propane can’t be ingested because it is stored in a closed container under pressure. It vaporizes internally when released from its container.
Propane with air won’t ignite unless the source of ignition reaches at least 940 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, gasoline’s source of ignition must reach only 430 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit before igniting.
If propane gas leaks, it doesn’t puddle; it readily dissipates into the air.
Propane Is an Environmentally Friendly Fuel
Propane is an approved, alternative clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as well as the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane is one of the lightest, simplest hydrocarbons in existence, and, as a result, is one of the cleanest burning of all alternative fuels. New propane-fueled vehicles can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, and one model even meets the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards. Burning coal to generate electricity releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Per pound of fuel burned, coal emits more than twice the amount of carbon dioxide as does propane. By using propane gas instead of electricity, consumers can cut emissions and help preserve the environment. Propane gas is nontoxic, so it’s not harmful to soil and water. Because propane does not endanger the environment, the placement of propane tanks either above or below ground is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA, much of the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, which produces acid rain, is attributable to coal-fired, electricity-generating facilities. In contrast, neither the process by which propane is produced nor the combustion of propane gas produces significant acid rain contaminants.
Propane Is a Good Value
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it could cost consumers twice as much to operate their range, water heater, dryer or furnace with electricity than with propane gas. Overall propane costs for fleet vehicles typically range from 5 percent to 30 percent less than conventional or reformulated gasoline. Many states offer fuel tax incentives to encourage the use of clean fuels, thus further reducing operating costs.