Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as Propane or Butane, is primarily derived from fossil oil or crude oil sources and is obtained through the refining of petroleum or “wet” natural gas. It is extensively used for cooking due to its economic advantages and convenience.
In India, approximately 8.9 million tons of LPG were consumed in a six-month period. LPG serves as an alternative to electric heating, heating oil, or kerosene, especially in rural parts of many countries and Europe. It is often chosen in areas lacking direct access to piped natural gas. Additionally, LPG plays a role in combined heat and power (CHP) technologies, enabling the generation of both electrical power and heat from a single fuel source.
LPG can be stored in various ways, providing flexibility in its usage. When combined with renewable power sources, LPG enhances reliability and offers a partial reduction in CO2 emissions. Unlike some renewable sources, LPG can function independently without the costly requirement of electrical energy storage. In many climates, the integration of LPG as a base load power source is crucial to ensuring a consistent power supply throughout the year, complementing intermittent renewable sources like solar energy and wind power.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) currently contributes around 3% of global energy consumption. It burns cleanly with minimal soot and low sulfur emissions, posing no ground or water pollution hazards, although it can contribute to air pollution. LPG’s specific caloric value is approximately 46.1 MJ/kg, higher than fuel oil and premium-grade petrol (Gasoline). However, its energy density per volume unit is lower than that of petrol or fuel oil due to its lower relative density (about 0.5–0.58 Kg/L compared to 0.71–0.77 Kg/L for gasoline).
Being a gas with a boiling point below room temperature, LPG evaporates quickly at normal temperature and pressures, typically supplied in pressurized vessels. Besides being an energy carrier, LPG is a promising feedstock in the chemical industry for synthesizing olefins like ethylene (C2H4 or H2C=CH2), propylene, butene, and acrylic acid (CH2=CHCOOH).
LPG, being heavier than air, can flow along floors and settle in low spots like basements, posing two main dangers. First, an explosion may occur if the LPG-air mixture is within explosive limits and there’s an ignition source. Second, suffocation is a risk as LPG displaces air, leading to a decrease in oxygen concentration. Awareness and proper handling are crucial to mitigate these risks associated with LPG use.