LPG vs Natural Gas: Are They the Same? Industrial Propane Service, Inc.

Meritus Gas partners with independent gas and welding equipment suppliers to provide you with high-quality gases, welding and cutting products. Some of our partners, like Ozarc Gas, can supply you with propane for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural applications. However, propane is a portable alternative that a certified professional can deliver and install on your residential, commercial or industrial property. Some of the appliance modifications that may be necessary include burners, conversion kits and regulators.

Safety

Propane’s chemical composition ensures it can exist in gaseous form at room temperature or when the atmospheric pressure doesn’t exceed (14.6 psi). At higher pressures of between 100 and 200 psi, propane condenses and exists in a lpg vs natural gas liquid state. It has a high octane rating and calorific value, meaning it works great for spark-ignited internal combustion engines and produces more energy than natural gas. Propane is a clean, colorless and odorless fossil fuel that’s compressed and stored in liquid form. In this state, it’s also referred to as liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or LP gas.

With growing concern over pollution and global warming around the world, a debate about which fossil fuels are worse or better for the environment has become more urgent. One of these debates centres around natural gas vs LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Ultimately, however, we should be looking to replace all greenhouse gas-producing fuel sources with renewable energies.

Since propane must be very cold to stay in a liquid form, most tanks are white to reflect as much heat and light as possible. If a container becomes too hot, a safety valve will open to relieve the pressure and prevent an explosion. Don’t let propane touch your skin since it can cause frostbite. Recent developments in propane storage technology have introduced composite cylinders that are lighter and more durable than traditional steel tanks. These cylinders are also more resistant to corrosion, making them safer and longer-lasting.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that releases CO2 through combustion. However, its extraction and production also release large quantities of methane into the atmosphere. Natural gas is a hydrocarbon mixture, primarily consisting of methane. In Australia, natural gas accounts for about 22 per cent of the country’s primary energy consumption. They are also the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

LPG and natural gas are both stored in pressurised containers to maintain their liquid state. Fast-growing economies across Asia are increasingly demanding both LPG and natural gas. In 2008, Australia exported 13.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). In the same year, the country exported over 74 million tonnes of the gas. Therefore, its volume of exports increased by almost 5.5 times over an 11 year period.

Natural Gas Vs. Propane: Which Fuel Is Best?

1. Keep in mind that when buying propane, it’ll be measured in gallons or liters, while natural gas is measured in cubic feet or cubic meters.
2. Scientists warn that we must prevent global warming exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Depending on the appliance, a conversion kit may be available from the manufacturer.
4. The cost of storing and vaporising natural gas can be between USD $150,000 and $200,000.
5. Griffith Energy Services has more than 125 years of heating, cooling, and fuel delivery experience.

Propane’s higher energy content means that less fuel is required to produce the same amount of heat or energy, contributing to its environmental efficiency. Natural gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels but still emits more pollutants than propane when burned. This makes propane a preferable choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Both are colorless, odorless, clean-burning and cost-effective alternatives to electricity. While natural gas occurs in nature as a mixture of methane and other gases, propane is actually a byproduct of both petroleum refining and natural gas processing.

Learn More About Propane For Your Home:

1. Modern safety technologies include smart gas detectors that can alert you to leaks via your smartphone, providing an added layer of security.
2. Additionally, advancements in carbon monoxide detector technology now offer features such as digital displays and voice alerts, making it easier to monitor your home’s air quality.
3. For homes that have the option of choosing between natural gas and propane heat, cost is often the most important concern.
4. While it is most often supplied via a public utility company using pipes, CNG can be put into storage tanks for use in those locations where it cannot be piped in.
5. The hydrocarbons or natural gas liquids (NGLs) are not disposed of.
6. Both of these factors have a big impact on their use worldwide.

This means that neither LPG nor natural gas is sustainable for the environment in the long term. Climate scientists state that we must stop burning fossil fuels for energy if we are to stop the slide to catastrophic climate change. It means companies, governments and households switching to clean energy in the form of solar and wind power. It also means phasing out fossil fuels completely, including LPG and natural gas.

Once natural gas is extracted from the ground it needs to be combined with crude oil to get the fuel we use on a daily basis. During this process propane, butane, and ethane are extracted. SafetyPropane is denser than natural gas, and it doesn’t dissipate as quickly if it gets released into the atmosphere. Accordingly, there is a slightly increased risk of explosion with propane because of how it’s stored. Fortunately, gas leaks are rare, but a sulfur-based compound is added to both propane and natural gas (which are otherwise odorless) to ensure a leak can be detected by smell.

Storage

They move the gas under high pressure from production sites to the outskirts of urban areas. Subsequently, LPG provides a high level of heat over a short lifetime. The gas is renowned for being reliable and steady when used for gas engines in forklifts or industrial boilers. Liquefied petroleum gas is most useful for those living in rural areas with no connection to the natural gas network. If your home doesn’t yet have a natural gas pipeline, the cost of installing one can be high.

It disperses quickly into the air in case of leak, making it one of the safest fuels for use. This can provide heat energy in colder weather, such as for patio heaters and mobile heaters. It is also used in restaurants to cook food and even in some types of cars. Elsewhere, LPG may consist of both propane and butane, or simply butane. Therefore,  it is better for use in warmer conditions and during the summer months.