Is Propane the Same as LPG – Butane vs Propane
Is Propane the Same as LPG? Propane is LPG but not all LPG is propane. LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas – is flammable hydrocarbon gas liquefied through pressurization. Butane vs Propane: Butane and propane are both LPG gases. LPG comes from natural gas processing and oil refining. Propane is classified as LPG, along with butane, isobutane and mixtures of these gases.
LPG is frequently used for fuel in heating, cooking, hot water and vehicles.
Difference Between Butane vs Propane
Gas Properties | Butane | Propane |
Chemical Formula | C4H10 | C3H8 |
Energy Content: MJ/m3 | 111.4 | 95.8 |
Energy Content: MJ/kg | 47.39 | 49.58 |
Energy Content: MJ/L | 27.5 | 25.3 |
Boiling Temp: Cº | -0.4 | -42 |
Pressure @ 21ºC: kPa | 215.1 | 858.7 |
Flame Temp: Cº | 1970 | 1967 |
Expansion: m3/L | 0.235 | 0.270 |
Gas Volume: m3/kg | 0.405 | 0.540 |
Relative Density: H2O | 0.58 | 0.51 |
Relative Density: air | 2.00 | 1.53 |
L per kg | 1.724 | 1.96 |
kg per L | 0.58 | 0.51 |
Specific Gravity @ 25ºC | 2.07 | 1.55 |
Density @ 15ºC: kg/m3 | 2.544 | 1.899 |
Is LPG Propane? Propane vs LPG
The Name Game
However, it’s all the same gas.
7 Important LPG Facts
1. LPG is the acronym for Liquefied Petroleum Gas or Liquid Petroleum Gas.
2. LPG is a group of flammable hydrocarbon gases, including propane and butane, that are liquefied through pressurisation and commonly used as fuel.
3. It comes from natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
4. There are a number of gases that fall under the “LPG” label, including propane, butane and isobutane (i-butane), as well as mixtures of these gases.
5. These gases can all be compressed into liquid at relatively low pressures.
6. It is frequently used for fuel in heating, cooking, hot water and vehicles, as well as for refrigerants, aerosol propellants and petrochemical feedstock.
7. It is generally stored, as a liquid, in steel vessels ranging from small BBQ gas bottles to larger gas cylinders and storage tanks.
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Propane (LPG) is Not Natural Gas
How Do Propane and Butane Work?
Propane and butane are stored under pressure, as a liquid, in a gas bottle.
It turns back into gas vapour when you release some of the pressure in the gas bottle by turning on your gas appliance.
Almost all of the uses for them involve the use of the gas vapour, not the liquefied gas.
What are Propane and Butane Used For?
They have hundreds, if not thousands, of uses.
The uses most people can name are around the home, in their cars or for business.
It is used in leisure time activities including caravans, boats, recreational vehicles, hot air balloons and camping.
Business and industry use them for a multitude of processes including steam boilers, kilns, ovens and gas forklifts.
Crop and produce drying, heating greenhouses, hot water for dairies, irrigation pumps and heating animal enclosures are just some of the agricultural applications.
There are also many, many more applications, including autogas, power generation and the hospitality industry.
Propane
In Australia, we are lucky that we use Propane because it has some advantages over Butane. (Propane molecule model shown)
And Then There is Butane
Now, if you are reading this blog from another country, LPG may not be just Propane for you.
It could be butane. (Butane molecule model shown)
Autogas is Different
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