Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas: Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Properties
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas describes flammable hydrocarbon gases including propane, butane and mixtures of these gases.
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG properties include the chemical properties of LP gas and the physical properties of LP gas (liquid petroleum gas). Included in the liquified petroleum gas properties are propane boiling point, density, energy content, flame temperature, chemical formula, expansion and more.
What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Composition – LPG Meaning
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG is primarily propane, butane, isobutane, and mixtures of these gases.
Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP gas is produced during natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG meaning describes flammable hydrocarbon gases.
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (liquid petroleum gas) is liquefied through pressurisation, comes from natural gas processing and oil refining.
In different countries, the supply can be propane, butane or propane-butane blends.
In Australia, liquified petroleum gas – LP gas is just propane.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas exists as liquid or gas (vapour), depending on pressure and temperature.
Natural Gas Liquids – NGL – have the same liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) composition plus a few more gases not normally included in LP gas.
The full NGL list includes ethane, ethene, butylenes, propylene, propene, isobutene, butadiene, pentane, pentene and pentanes plus, as well as propane, butane and isobutane.
Is Liquefied Petroleum Gas Propane? Is Propane Liquified Petroleum Gas
Is liquefied petroleum gas propane?
Sometimes liquefied petroleum gas is propane but it can also be butane, isobutane and other NGLs.
Is propane liquified petroleum gas?
Yes, propane is liquified petroleum gas, as are butane and isobutane.
Remember, propane is LPG but LPG is not always propane.
Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Properties
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas properties include:
- Liquid petroleum gas – propane boiling point
- Liquified petroleum gas density – LP gas (propane) specific gravity
- Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas composition – components – constituents
- chemical formula of liquified petroleum gas – molecular formula
- Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas flame temperature
- autoignition temperature of liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas)
- Liquified petroleum gas flash point
- Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG pressure
- Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG odour
- Appearance of liquefied petroleum gas – LPG
- Energy content of liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (liquid petroleum gas)
- Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG gaseous expansion
- combustion formula of liquefied petroleum gas – LPG
- Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG limits of flammability
- Liquid petroleum gas nomenclature
- Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (liquid petroleum gas) molecular weight
We’ll review these most commonly referenced liquid petroleum gas properties…
Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Properties Chart
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Liquefied Petroleum Gas – Propane Boiling Point
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-42 °C or -44 °F
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LPG Melting – Freezing Point
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-188 °C or -306.4 °F
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Specific Gravity of Liquid LPG
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0.495 (25°C)
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Liquefied Petroleum Gas Gaseous Density
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1.898 kg/m3 (15°C) or 0.1162 lb/ft3
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Energy Content of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
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25 MJ/L or 91,547 BTU/Gal (60°F)
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Liquefied Petroleum Gas Gaseous Expansion
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1 L (liquid) = 0.27 M3 (gas)
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Propane Flame Temperature
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1967 ºC or 3573 ºF
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Limits of Flammability
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2.15% to 9.6% LPG/air
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Autoignition Temperature
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470 °C or 878 °F
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Molecular Weight
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44.097 kg/kmole
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Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Propane Boiling Point
Water boils at 100°C or 212°F, becoming a gas (steam).
In contrast, of liquefied petroleum gas – LPG propane boiling point is -42°C or -44°F, becoming gas vapour.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) stays liquid because it is under pressure in a gas cylinder.
As a liquid, it looks a lot like water.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas is colourless and odourless in its natural state.
Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Density and Specific Gravity
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas density is 1.55 times heavier than air at 1.898 kg/m3 vs 1.225 kg/m3 for air (both 15°C at sea level).
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas density for LP gas liquid is about half that of water at 495 kg/m3 (25°C) vs 1,000 kg/m3 (4°C) for water.
Specific gravity of propane and water is 0.495 (25°C) and 1.000 (4°C), respectively.
What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas Density – Specific Gravity of Liquid LP Gas – Propane
Conversely, 1L of liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (propane) weighs 0.51kg.Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Density as a Gas: LPG – Propane is Heavier than Air
1 ft3 of liquified petroleum gas – LP gas weighs 0.1162 pounds.10 Important Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Facts
1. LPG (or LP Gas) is the acronym for liquified petroleum gas – LP gas or Liquid Petroleum Gas.
2. Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas is a group of flammable hydrocarbon gases liquefied through pressurisation.
They are, in most cases, used as fuel.
3. Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) comes from natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
4. There are a number of gases that fall under the “LPG” label.
These include propane, butane and isobutane (i-butane), as well as mixtures of these gases.
5. LPG gases are compressible into liquid at low pressures.
6. The common uses for liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) include use for fuel in heating, cooking, hot water and vehicles.
It is also utilised for refrigerants, aerosol propellants and petrochemical feedstock.
7. Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG is stored, as a liquid, in steel vessels ranging from small BBQ gas bottles to larger gas cylinders and storage tanks. (45kg gas bottles shown)
LP Gas = Propane
In Australia, liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is propane.
It is also called LPG Gas, LP Gas, Propane, BBQ Gas, Camping Gas or Autogas.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas can be other gases in other countries.
Propane is a three carbon molecule with the formula C3H8.
The illustration shows a model of the molecule.
What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Temperature: Flame, Boiling Point, Melting/Freezing Point
Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas temperature includes LP gas flame temperature, LP gas boiling temperature and LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) freezing temperature.
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG temperature also affects the gas cylinder pressure.
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG flame temperature (when burned with air) is 1967ºC or 3573ºF.
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (propane) gas boiling temperature is -42°C or -44°F, as compare to water at 100°C or 212°F
The liquified petroleum gas – LP gas boiling point is where liquid propane boils and becomes vapour (gas).
LP gas (propane) gas melting/freezing temperature is at -188°C or -306.4°F.
So, liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) temperature for freezing is a much lower temperature than water, which freezes at 0ºC.
Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Pressure Varies with Temperature
As mentioned before, liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is stored in a gas bottle under pressure.
The term “pressure” refers to the average force per unit of area that the gas exerts on the inside walls of the gas bottle.
(Liquified Petroleum Gas Pressure – LP Gas Temperature Chart shown)
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas pressure measurement is in kilopascals (kPa) or pounds per square inch (psi).
“Bar” is yet another unit of measure for pressure.
1 Bar = 100 kPa, so it is metric based but not an SI unit of measure.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas pressure can vary based on temperature, as shown in the chart.
The level of fill in the gas bottle comes into play when the LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is in use, as it affects the rate of vapourisation.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas is a liquefied gas.
So, the pressure inside the cylinder will remain the same from full until the vaporistion of the last of the liquid LP gas.
Then the pressure will fall, with the use of the last of the liquified petroleum gas – LP gas vapour.
Odourant Added for Safety
In its natural state, liquified petroleum gas – LP gas is an odourless gas.Avoid Direct Contact – Cold Burns
Energy Content of LP Gas – Propane
Calorific Value of Water Gas
Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Gaseous Expansion
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) expands to 270 times the volume when it goes from liquid to gas.Combustion Formula Equation for Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG
Formula Equation for Complete Combustion of LP gas – Propane:What’s the Equation for Incomplete Combustion of Propane?
2 C3H8 + 9 O2 → 4 CO2 + 2 CO + 8 H2O + heat
Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Temperature: LP Gas – Propane Flame Temperature
Limits of Flammability
What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Flash Point Temperature
Autoignition Temperature – Propane & Butane
Dissipation
Molecular Weight for LP Gas – Propane – Butane – Isobutane
Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Vapour (Gas) Use vs. Liquid Use
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG supply is either liquid or vapour.6 Things You Didn’t Know About Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG
While you may know some of these facts, chances are you don’t know all of them.
Have a read and learn more about:
1. Real LP gas Explosions are Really Rare
2. Simulated Natural Gas from LP gas (liquid petroleum gas)
3. The Source of LP gas (liquid petroleum gas)
4. Australian Made Energy
5. LP gas is a Renewable Energy Source
6. LP gas is NOT Coal Seam Gas (CSG)
1. Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas Cylinder Explosions are Extremely Rare + Video
Hollywood and the media would have you believe that liquified petroleum gas – LP gas cylinder explosions are a common event.
In fact, explosions are quite rare and it is quite difficult to even make an LP gas cylinder explode on purpose.
You’ll enjoy watching the Myth Busters Video where they try to make a cylinder explode.
Most gas explosions are the result of gas leaking into a confined space, like a kitchen.
This is no more likely with liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) than with piped natural gas.
Often, the gas bottle itself is not even involved in the event, as gas bottles are always stored outdoors.
2. Simulated Natural Gas from Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG
Most people have never even heard of Simulated Natural Gas (SNG) let alone know that it can be made with liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (liquid petroleum gas).
Mixing vapourised LP gas with air produces SNG.
We can SNG use in place of natural gas, as it has near identical combustion characteristics.
It can be used alone or mixed with regular natural gas.
There are no changes required in burners, regulators or gas jets.
There are a number of reasons to use SNG:
• To help meet peak demand when natural gas supplies are inadequate
• To operate while in preparation for the start-up of a natural gas supply
• As a stand-by in the event of a natural gas supply disruption
Simulated natural gas has a few names.
Besides SNG, it is also called propane-air and LP gas-air.
3. The Source of Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas
Many people mistakenly think of liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) as a by-product.
In reality, LP gas is a valuable co-product produced from gas fields and crude oil refining.
They process the gas stream from natural gas fields to separate the gases present.
These include methane, ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes.
Impurities are also removed, including water.
The produced gases are each funnelled into their own supply streams.
They capture propane and butane, the two common types of liquified petroleum gas – LP gas, and store them in their liquefied form.
The same is true of crude oil refining.
The refinery process creates many co-products.
The co-products include gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, naphtha, kerosene and LP gas.
4. Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas is Australian Made Energy
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is the only motor fuel in which Australia is self-reliant.
Unlike both petrol and diesel, for which Australia relies on imports, we produce more LP gas than we consume.
Not only is Australia completely self-sufficient in liquified petroleum gas – LP gas but it is also a net exporter of LP gas.
In 2013, Australia produced 2.3 Million tonnes of LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) .
That satisfied the local demand of 1.5 million tonnes, with net exports of 815,000 tonnes.
5. What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Renewable Energy Source
Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (liquid petroleum gas) has gone from being a traditional fossil fuel to a new form of renewable energy.
Scientists have created a genetically engineered version of the common E. coli bacteria.
This version produces propane (LP gas).
So, Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG is now a renewable energy.
The bacteria consume sugar.
With genetic modification, and the help of a couple of enzymes, they make propane.
The propane produced is chemically identical to regular propane.
6. Liquified Petroleum Gas – LP Gas is NOT Coal Seam Gas (CSG)
There is some confusion over what Coal Seam Gas (CSG) is and what it is not.
While CSG may contain various gases, typical CSG is 95% to 97% pure Methane.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is not Methane.
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is Propane.
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Eric Hahn has over a decade of experience in the LPG industry and has become a key figure in shaping how LPG is marketed and communicated. As the creator of one of the world’s first LPG blogs, Eric has authored over 200 technical posts, helping educate and inform the industry and consumers.
Eric has served on multiple committees for Gas Energy Australia and the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to important discussions and advancements within the global LPG sector. He has presented at WLPGA Annual Conferences, sharing his expertise as a speaker, panellist, and panel chair.
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Steve Reynolds
Technical Consultant
Steve Reynolds is a leading expert in the LPG industry with over 22 years of experience. As part of the national management team at ELGAS, Steve ensures the safe and efficient storage, handling, and transportation of LPG. He serves as the lead investigator for incidents and collaborates with authorities on industry developments.
Steve is a technical advisor to Standards Australia and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), and an active member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to global standards and technical reviews. He holds a BSc. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has held senior safety and technical roles at ELGAS, making him a trusted authority in LPG safety and standards.