What is LPG?
LPG also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a portable, clean and efficient energy source that are suitable consumers on a daily basis.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
LPG is usually used to describe two prominent members of a family of light hydrocarbons called "Natural Gas Liquids" (NGL) : propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10).
Therefore, the term Liquefied is the unique character of LPG that makes it such as a popular and widely used fuel.
The states change change based on temperature and pressures.
The tank pressure is about twice the pressure in a normal truck tyre. Hence, it is consider safe when properly handed.
Where does LPG come from?
Well, LPG has two origins:
1. 60% approximate is being recovered during the extraction of natural gas and oil from the earth
2. 40% is produced during the refining of crude oil.
Natural Gas Processing
When gas is drawn from the earth, it is a mixture of several gases and liquids. Commercial natural gas is mainly composed of methane. However, it also contains ethane, propane and butane in accordance with the specifications for natural gas in each country in which it is distributed. Therefore, before natural gas is marketed, some NGLs, including LPG (propane & butane) are separated out, depending on the ”wetness” of the gas produced: NGLs represent 1 to 10% of the unprocessed gas stream. Worldwide, gas processing is the source of approximately 60% of LPG produced.
Crude Oil Refining
In an oil refinery, LPGs are produced at various stages: atmospheric distillation, reforming, cracking and others. The LPG produced will be between 1 and 4% of crude oil processed. This yield will depend on the type of crude oil, the degree of sophistication of the oil refinery and the market values of propane and butane compared to other oils products.
Worldwide, refining is the source of approximately 40% of LPG produced.
Where is LPG used?
Home
On the go
At work
For Fun
On the Farm
Industrial activity
and so on.
Why use LPG?
LPG is efficient, clean and accessible energy source for everyone.
Accessible
The first and most important, LPG can be access to everyone in everywhere.
Clean
LPG burns clean fuel that is low on carbon. It emits virtually no black carbon and does not spill. A good sign of a powerful LPG gas starts when the gas stove emits pure purple-ish to blue color flame. Purple Blue flame indicates that the gas stove is performing to the maximum and has a better heat transfer.
Efficient
LPG is an energy-rich fuel source with a higher calorific value per unit than other commonly used fuels, including coal, natural gas, diesel, petrol, fuel oils and biomass-derived alcohols. This means that an LPG flame burns hotter, an advantage that can translate into higher efficiency.
Portable
LPG is a fuel that is available in even the remotest of areas, improving the lives of millions of citizens worldwide and providing a further impetus to regional development. It can be transported using sea, rail or road transport.
Versatile
LPG has more than 1,000 applications. It is used in transportation, in commercial business, industry, farming, domestic heating and cooking, and for recreational purposes.
last but not least, It can fit in many use cases with LPG. Therefore it is consider as a good source of energy for everyone.
Differences between Propane & Butane
Propane
- Lower boiling point suits outdoor storage and its primarily used for Central Heating, Cooking as a transport fuel and numerous commercial applications.
Butane
Used mainly in cylinder for portable applications in mobile heaters in home. It also suitable to use in leisure activities such as caravans and barbecues.
Butane also can be applied into many other use cases:
1. Propellant
2. Refrigerant
3. Fuel torches
Often, in a gas cylinder, Propane and Butane will be mixed together in order to get the best energy yields and properties.
What's inside a Petronas Gas Cylinder
These picture was taken back in 2017 during the LPG Cylinder Manufacturing Workshop hosted by Dual Metal Sdn Bhd @ Dungun, Terrengganu.Malaysia.
As we can see inside of the cylinder, there are non other materials aside from a tube and the cover itself.
New Gas Cylinder Leaking Test
As you can see from the picture, 4 gas cylinder were dipped into water in order to test for leaking of the gas. The purpose of this measure is to ensure there are no leaking cylinder and provide customer a safety usage of PETRONAS GAS.