LPG vs Natural Gas – Propane vs Methane
In residential use, the main difference between natural gas and LPG are the constituent gases and how they are supplied. Natural gas is methane gas distributed by gas mains or pipelines. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is propane or butane, usually distributed in gas bottles.
LPG and natural gas have different energy content, gas/air mixes for combustion and working pressure.
LPG vs Natural Gas – Summary of Key Differences
- LPG is propane and/or butane while natural gas is methane
LPG is heavier than air while natural gas is lighter than air- LPG is liquefied through pressurisation.
- Natural gas is cryogenically turned into liquefied natural gas – LNG
- LPG is distributed in gas bottles, cylinders, and tanks
- Natural gas is conveyed via pipeline
- LPG appliances operate at 2.75 kPa
- Natural gas appliances operate at 1.1 kPa
- Liquified LPG turns from liquid to gas at a relatively low temperature
- LPG: Propane is C3H8 & Butane is C4H10 whilst Natural Gas – Methane is CH4
- LPG has a higher energy content at 93.2MJ/m3 vs natural gas at 38.7MJ/m3
- LPG requires a higher air to gas ratio for combustion at a 25 to 1 ratio vs 10 to 1 ratio for natural gas
- LPG is derived from natural gas processing.
- LPG is distributed in gas bottles and tanks vs natural gas being conveyed via pipeline
- Although there are major differences between the two, LPG and Natural Gas are used for thousands of applications in homes and businesses.
LPG – LNG – CNG – What is the Difference?
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is natural gas (methane) in cryogenic storage.
- LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is mainly propane in liquid form under pressure.
- LNG is cryogenically turned into liquefied natural gas.
- CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is natural gas stored at high pressure.
- LPG vs natural gas are different chemicals with different formulae
Both CNG and LPG come in gas cylinders.
Natural gas cylinders are much heavier compared to LPG gas bottles..
Is LPG More Expensive than Natural Gas?
In some situations, LPG can be cheaper than natural gas for the end users.
For starters, there are daily natural gas supply charges for being connected to the main gas network.
Costs can exceed $400 per year, in Australia, even before any gas is used.
LPG has a higher energy content and the relative positions of natural gas vs LPG change over time, with LPG now a cost-effective alternative to natural gas in many cases.
The cost of using either natural gas or LPG will also depend on where you are located and how much gas you use.
LPG contains more heat energy and burns slightly hotter than natural gas.
LPG is a great option as an alternative fuel during the transition to renewable energy sources.
What are Natural Gas Liquids – NGL Meaning
NGL meaning is Natural Gas Liquids which are heavier gaseous hydrocarbons that are included in the raw liquified natural gas stream from the wellhead.
NGL hydrocarbon gases include propane, butane, isobutane, ethane, ethene, propene, isobutene, butadiene, pentane, and pentene and pentanes plus.
Pentanes Plus is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons, mostly pentanes, and heavier elements.
Natural gasoline is the largest component of pentanes plus.
Raw natural gas also contains impurities including water vapour, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds that must be removed.
Propane, butane, and isobutane are the three gases that are typically sold as LPG.
Propane
LPG (Propane)
is the gas that is supplied to virtually all homes and most businesses that purchase LPG in Australia.
LPG is supplied in 45kg gas cylinders that are either exchanged or refilled on-site by LPG tankers.
LPG is also delivered in larger 90kg and 210kg cylinders for homes and businesses, and smaller 9kg and 4kg BBQ gas bottles that are available from dealers around the country.
Butane (n-Butane)
Butane (n-Butane)
is supplied to certain businesses where butane has specific advantages over propane (LPG).
These include greenhouse applications and use as a propellant in aerosols.
Autogas (Propane/Butane mix)
Autogas sold at petrol stations can be either propane or a propane/butane mix.
Autogas is an economical and clean burning liquified petroleum gas fuel that can extend your vehicle’s engine life while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Check Out Great New Customer Deal
Show Me My Gas Price
Difference Between LPG vs Natural Gas Properties (Propane vs Methane)
The difference between LPG vs natural gas is easiest to see in their physical properties.
Energy content of LPG vs natural gas (93.2MJ/m3 vs 38.7MJ/m3) has LPG with a higher energy content.
LPG is more dense than natural gas, at a specific gravity of 1.5219:1 vs 0.5537:1, amongst other differences shown below.
|
LPG vs Natural Gas Gas Properties
|
LPG
(Propane)
|
Natural Gas
(Methane)
|
|
Chemical Formula
|
C3H8
|
CH4
|
|
Energy Content: MJ/m3
|
93.2
|
38.7
|
|
Energy Content: Btu/ft3
|
2572
|
1011
|
|
Energy Content: MJ/kg
|
49.58
|
52.5
|
|
Boiling Temp: Cº
|
-42
|
-161.5
|
|
Flame Temp: Cº
|
1967
|
1950
|
|
Flame Temp: Fº
|
3573
|
3542
|
|
Gas Volume: m3/kg
|
0.540
|
1.499
|
|
Specific Gravity
|
1.5219
|
0.5537
|
|
Density @15ºC: kg/m3
|
1.899
|
0.668
|
Note: Some LPG vs Natural Gas numbers have been rounded.
Relative Density of LPG & Natural Gas
There is a density difference between LPG and the relative density of natural gas.
LPG is more dense (has a higher specific gravity) than the relative density of natural gas.
LPG (propane) is more dense than air, at the relative density of LPG at 1.5219 to 1.
The heavier relative density of LPG makes it settle in air.
Density of natural gas (methane) is lighter than air, as it is less dense (lighter) than air, with the relative density of natural gas being 0.5537 to 1.
The lighter relative density of natural gas makes it rise in air.
Which Burns Hotter Liquid Propane (LPG) or Natural Gas?
LPG burns slightly hotter than natural gas.
LPG – propane – burns at 1967ºC or 3573ºF.
Natural gas burns at 1950ºC or 3542ºF.
Is LPG Better than Natural Gas
You can see how LPG is better than natural gas when you buy a cooktop. Cooktops usually come with two sets of gas jets.
The ones for LPG have a much smaller hole and use less gas.
That’s because LPG contains more heat energy, with 93.2MJ/m³ vs natural gas at 38.7MJ/m³ (2572 Btu/ft³ vs 1011 Btu/ft³).
LPG gas has some distinct advantages, including portability and higher energy content. It may also be cheaper than natural gas in many situations.
Natural gas has a safety advantage vs LPG.
As natural gas is lighter than air, in the event of a leak, natural gas will dissipate more quickly.
As LPG (propane) is heavier than air, it may collect in basements or near the floor of a home.
Natural gas has some other advantages, too.
It produces slightly less CO2 when burned and it doesn’t need to be delivered, as it typically comes though pipes (gas mains).
So, as to if LPG is better than natural gas, it really comes down to a matter of opinion. Both gases have their advantages.
Is Propane Natural Gas – Is LPG Natural Gas
LPG is not natural gas, likewise, propane is not natural gas.
Propane is LPG but not all LPG is Propane.
Natural gas is methane whilst LPG is propane or butane.
Natural Gas Processing – How is Natural Gas Made?
Natural gas is a fossil fuel found deep underground in various rock formations.
The gas is recovered by drilling wells. It can be found alone or with crude oil.
The ‘wet’ gas must be processed to separate out the natural gas by-product liquids, like LPG, as well as water and other impurities.
The dry gas is passed through the gas pipelines that deliver it to our homes and businesses.
What is LPG?
LPG is the acronym for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
It is a liquid fuel stored in gas bottles and tanks.
LPG is used for heating our homes, hot water, cooking, powering our BBQs, and fueling our cars, along with powering many business and agricultural enterprises.
How Does LPG work?
LPG is stored under pressure in a liquid state in a gas bottle.
When using LPG, you release it from the gas cylinder and it turns back into gas.
From a practical point of view, it is used just like natural gas, although the LPG energy content is much higher.
As it is portable, it can be used in vehicles as well as home heating, hot water and cooking.
To boil, the liquid LPG draws heat from the steel walls of the LPG gas cylinder (propane tank) which, in turn, works by getting heat from the ambient air. (See image)
LPG liquid boils and turns back into gas vapour when you release some of the pressure in the gas bottle (propane tank) by turning on your gas appliance.
As with water, the more heat that is applied, the more rapidly it boils, vaporising at a faster rate.
What is LPG Made Of?
The gases that fall under the LPG label include propane, butane, and isobutane, as well as mixtures of these gases.
The two most common are propane and butane and the percentage of propane and butane in LPG varies.