What is LPG?

LPG stands for “Liquefied Petroleum Gas”. It is the backbone of several industrial, commercial and retail applications.

LPG consists of:

  • Butane (C4H10): 60%
  • Propane (C3H8): 40%

It is primarily obtained from natural gas and oil production but is also produced increasingly from renewable sources (bio – LPG). Its unique properties make it a versatile energy source which can be used various applications.

At normal temperature and pressure, LPG is gaseous. It changes to a liquid when subjected to modest pressure or cooling. In liquid form, the pressure in the tank is about twice the pressure in a normal truck tyre.

Why is LPG the best fuel?

  • Better Control: LPG is easy to control with instant on and off activation at the twist of a knob, thus offering better control over cooking. In addition, adjustment of intensity / size in the form of visible blue flame is easy to regulate the required rate of heating, making it possible to cook at desired temperature.
  • Faster Cooking: LPG can cook faster than any other fuels because of its high calorific value.
  • Low Kitchen Temperature: LPG stoves emit less overall heat than any other cooking device, thus keeping your kitchen temperature unaffected.
  • Environment Friendly: LPG creates the least greenhouse gas emission of all the available fossil fuels. It contains very less amount of other particulate matters that are harmful to the environment. Cooking with LPG can help reduce the greenhouse emission by up to 70%.
  • Clean Kitchen: Unlike traditional cooking fuels like firewood, charcoal and kerosene, LPG does not leave ash, soot or harmful smoke.
  • Economical: LPG is an economical fuel. LPG stoves and burners require less maintenance as compared to other cooking forms.
  • Safe: LPG is completely convenient and safe to use if handled and maintained properly.

Fun facts about LPG

  • LPG is colorless and hence, the leaks are not visible.
  • LPG is odorless. Thus, a strong stench agent namely Ethyl Mercapton is added to assist in detecting leakages.
  • LPG is heavier than air.
  • LPG is lighter than water.

Advantages of LPG

  • Portable: LPG can be transported, stored, and used virtually anywhere in the world. It does not require a fixed network and will not deteriorate over time.
  • Clean: LPG is very clean burning and has lower greenhouse gas emissions than any other fossil fuel when measured on a total fuel cycle.
  • Accessible: LPG can be accessible to everyone everywhere today without major infrastructure investment. Nothing needs to be invented and there are enough reserves to last many decades.
  • Efficient: LPG is cost-effective, since a high proportion of its energy content is converted into heat. LPG can be up to five times more efficient than traditional fuels, resulting in less energy wastage.
  • Convenient: LPG is a multi-purpose energy. There are more than a thousand applications, from cooking, heating, air conditioning and transportation, to cigarette lighters and even the Olympic torch.

LPG vs. Other Fuels

 

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