Propane Facts
Propane Facts

What is propane?

Propane ( C3H) is a colorless, ordorless easily liquefied, gaseous hydrocarbon ( compound of carbon and hydrogen ), the third member of the paraffin series following methane and ethane. I

It is separated from light crude oil, natural gas, and is a by-product of petroleum refining.  Propane is commercially available as liquefied propane or as a major constituent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  Although a gas at atmospheric presure, propane has a boiling point of -42.1 C (-43.8 F) and thus is liquefied under elevated pressures.  It therfore is transported and handled as a liquid in cylinders and tanks.  In this form, alone or mixed with liquid butane, it has great importance as a fuel for domestic and industrial/commercial uses and fro internal-combustion engines.

Liquefied Propane Gas: Also called LPG or LP GAS, can be any of several liquid mixtures containing varying degrees of the volatile hydrocarbons propane, propane, butene, and butane.

It was used as early as 1860 as a prtable fuel source, and its production and consumption for both domestic and industrial use have expanded ever since, A typical commercial mixture may also contain ethane and ethylene as well as a from "wet" natural gas ( gas with condensable heavy petroleum compounds) by absorption. The recovered product has a low boiling point and must be distilled to remove the lighter fractions and then be treated to remove hydrogen sulfide carbon dioxide, and water.

The finished product is transproted by pipeline and by specially built sea going tankers.  Transportation by truck, rail , and barge has also developed particulary in North America.

LPG reaches the domestic consumer in cylinders under relatively low pressure.  The largest part of the LPG produced is used in central heating systems and the next largest as raw material for chemical plants; LPG is also used as an engine fuel.  Email Dan@hendersonpropane.com for more information about having your auto put on Propane.