Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG in Gas – LP Gas: What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas Properties

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Home 9 Business LPG Blogs 9 Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG in Gas – LP Gas: What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas Properties

18 Apr, 2024 | Business LPG Blogs, Residential LPG Blogs

Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG in Gas – LP Gas Fuel: What are LPG Properties

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas describes flammable hydrocarbon gases including propane, butane and mixtures of these gases.

What are LPG properties? Liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas) properties include the chemical properties of LPG – LP gas and the physical properties of LP gas fuel (liquid petroleum gas). Included in the liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas) properties are propane boiling point, LPG gas density, LP gas fuel energy content, flame temperature, propane chemical formula, expansion and more.

What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas: What is a LPG – LP Gas Fuel

What is liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas) ? Liquefied petroleum gas LPG is primarily propane, butane, isobutane, and mixtures of these LP gas fuel types.

Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas is produced during natural gas processing, where it is LPG in gas, and petroleum refining.

What is a LPG meaning? Liquefied petroleum gas LPG meaning describes flammable hydrocarbon gases.

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG (liquid petroleum gas) is liquefied through pressurisation as LPG in gas bottles and comes from natural gas processing and oil refining.

In different countries, the supply of LP gas fuel can be propane, butane or propane-butane blends.

In Australia, liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas is just propane.

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel exists as liquid or gas (vapour) as LPG in gas bottles, depending on pressure and temperature.

Natural Gas Liquids – NGL – have the same liquefied petroleum gas LPG – 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 Liquid Petroleum Gas the Same as Propane: Is Liquified Petroleum Gas Propane? Is Propane Liquified Petroleum Gas?

Is liquid petroleum gas the same as propane? Is liquified petroleum gas propane? Is propane liquified petroleum gas?

Sometimes liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas) is propane but it can also be butane, isobutane and other NGLs.

Is propane liquified petroleum gas?

Yes, propane is liquified petroleum gas (LP Gas) , as are butane and isobutane.

Remember, propane is LPG but LPG is not always propane.

What are LPG Properties: Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LP Gas

As an answer to what are LPG (LP Gas) properties, they include:

Propane boiling point (boiling point for propane)
Liquefied petroleum gas density – LPG gas density
Liquified petroleum gas – LP gas composition – components – constituents
Propane formula – propane chemical formula
LPG – Propane boiling point
Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas flame temperature
autoignition temperature of liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas)
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas flash point
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas pressure
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas odour
Appearance of liquefied petroleum gas LPG
Energy content of liquefied petroleum gas LPG (liquid petroleum gas)
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas gaseous expansion
Combustion formula of liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas limits of flammability
Liquid petroleum gas nomenclature
Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) molecular weight

We’ll review these most commonly referenced liquefied petroleum gas properties…

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Properties Chart

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Properties Chart
Liquefied Petroleum Gas – Propane Boiling Point	-42 °C or -44 °F
LPG Melting – Freezing Point	-188 °C or -306.4 °F
Specific Gravity of Liquid LPG	0.495 (25°C)
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Density	1.898 kg/m³ (15°C) or 0.1162 lb/ft³
Energy Content of Liquefied Petroleum Gas	25 MJ/L or 91,547 BTU/Gal (60°F)
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Gaseous Expansion	1 L (liquid) = 0.27 M³(gas)
Propane Flame Temperature	1967 ºC or 3573 ºF
Limits of Flammability	2.15% to 9.6% LPG/air
Autoignition Temperature	470 °C or 878 °F
Molecular Weight	44.097 kg/kmole

Note: Some numbers have been subject to rounding.

What is a LPG Boiling Point – Propane Boiling Point

What is a LPG (LP Gas) boiling point or 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.

Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas fuel (liquid petroleum gas) stays liquid because it is under pressure in a gas cylinder.

As a liquid, LP gas looks a lot like water.

Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas fuel is colourless and odourless in its natural state.

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Liquefied Petroleum Gas Density – What is a LPG Density & Specific Gravity

What is a LPG density?

Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG 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).

Liquefied petroleum 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 – What is a LPG Specific Gravity for Liquid LP Gas – Propane

Unlike water, 1 kilogram of LP gas does NOT equal 1 litre of LP gas.

Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG gas density or specific gravity is about half that of water, at 0.51.

In Australia, where liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (LP gas – liquid petroleum gas) is propane, 1kg of LP gas has a volume of 1.96L.

Conversely, 1L of liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas (propane) weighs 0.51kg.

1 gallon of liquid propane weighs 4.24 pounds.

The specific gravity (SG) of liquid LP gas – Propane – is 0.495 (at 25°C)

Propane is 580.88 kg/m³ (at propane boiling point)

The specific gravity (SG) of liquid Butane is 0.601 (at 25°C)

Butane is 601.26 kg/m³ (at butane boiling point)

Liquefied Petroleum Gas – What is a LPG Gas Density as a Gas: LPG – Propane is Heavier than Air

The liquefied petroleum gas – LPG gas density as gaseous propane is 1.898 kg/m³ (at 15°C and sea level).

1 ft³ of liquified petroleum gas – LP gas weighs 0.1162 pounds.

Butane is 2.5436 kg/m³ (at 15°C and sea level)

In contrast, the density of Air is 1.225 kg/m³ (at 15°C and sea level).

So, liquefied petroleum gas – LPG gas density is heavier than air.

Note that liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is also referred to as LP gas vapour, which is the more technically correct term.

10 Important Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Gas Facts

1. LPG (LP Gas) is the acronym for liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas or Liquid Petroleum Gas.

2. Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas fuel is a group of flammable hydrocarbon gases liquefied through pressurisation and stored as LPG in gas bottles.

They are, in most cases, used as LP gas fuel.

3. Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) comes from natural gas processing, where it is LPG in gas, and petroleum refining.

4. There are a number of gases that fall under the “LPG” (LP Gas) 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 and stored as LPG in gas bottles.

6. The common uses for liquified petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) include use for LPG in gas heating, cooking, hot water and vehicles.

LP gas is also utilised refrigerants, aerosol propellants and petrochemical feedstock.

7. Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (LP Gas) is stored, as a liquid, in steel vessels ranging from small BBQ gas bottles to larger gas cylinders and LPG in gas storage tanks. (45kg gas bottles shown)

8. “Wet gas” is a term that is sometimes used to describe liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (liquid petroleum gas), as a result of its liquidity.

9. An alternate reference for LP gas (propane) is as a Natural Gas Liquid – NGL.

10. In nature, propane does not occur alone.

What is a LPG Name? LP Gas = Propane

In Australia, liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is propane.

What is a LPG name other than LPG?

It is also called LPG Gas, LP Gas, LP Gas Fuel, Propane, BBQ Gas, Camping Gas or Autogas.

Liquefied 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 – What is a LPG Temperature: Flame, Boiling Point, Melting/Freezing Point

Liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas temperature includes LP gas flame temperature, propane boiling point and LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) freezing temperature.

Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG temperature also affects the pressure of LPG in gas bottles.

LPG Gas Temperature - Flame Temperature 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 liquefied petroleum gas LPG – 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, liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) temperature for freezing is a much lower temperature than water, which freezes at 0ºC.

Liquified Petroleum Gas LPG – What is a LPG Pressure?

As mentioned before, liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is stored as LPG in gas bottles under pressure.

The term “LPG pressure” refers to the average force per unit of area that the gas exerts on the inside walls by the LPG in gas bottles.

(Liquefied Petroleum Gas Pressure – LP Gas Temperature Chart shown)

LPG Pressure-Temperature Chart

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – 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.

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas pressure can vary based on temperature, as shown in the chart.

The level of LP gas 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.

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas is a liquefied gas.

So, the LP gas pressure inside the cylinder will remain the same from full until the vaporistion of the last of the liquid LP gas.

Then the LP gas pressure will fall, with the use of the last of the liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas vapour.

Odourant Added for Safety

In its natural state, liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel is an odourless gas.

The distinctive smell that people associate with LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is actually added to it as a safety measure.

Without the addition of an odourant, leaking LP gas could collect without detection.

What is a LPG Hazard of Direct Contact – Cold Burns

Always use caution should to avoid direct contact exposure, as liquid LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is cold enough to cause severe cold burns on exposed skin.

What is a LPG Energy Content: LP Gas – Propane

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel (propane) contains approximately 25MJ per litre.

This also converts to 6.9kWh.

One gallon of propane contains 91,547 BTU (60°F).

What is a LPG Calorific Value of ‘Water Gas’

The calorific value of the LP gas used to heat water is no different than liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel used for other applications.

So, once again, ‘water gas’ contains 25MJ per LP gas litre or 91,547 BTU (60°F) per gallon.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: What is a LPG Gaseous Expansion

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) expands to 270 times the volume when LP gas goes from liquid to gas.

So, 1L of liquid LP gas (propane) equals 270L of gaseous LP gas.

As there are 1000L in a cubic meter (M³), 1L of liquid LP gas expands to 0.27M³.

What is a LPG Combustion Formula Equation

In the presence of enough oxygen, liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas fuel (liquid petroleum gas) burns to form water vapour and carbon dioxide, as well as heat.

Propane Formula Equation for Complete Combustion of LP gas fuel:

Propane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Heat

C₃H₈ + 5 O₂ → 3 CO₂ + 4 H₂O + Heat

Incomplete combustion of LP gas fuel (propane) occurs when not enough oxygen is present.

Incomplete combustion of LP gas results in the production of water, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide:

What’s the Equation for Incomplete Combustion of Propane?

Propane Formula Equation for Incomplete LP gas Combustion of LP gas fuel:

Propane + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Carbon Monoxide + Water + Heat

2 C₃H₈ + 9 O₂ → 4 CO₂ + 2 CO + 8 H₂O + heat

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: What is a LPG Temperature? LP Gas – Propane Flame Temperature

An liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel (propane) flame burns at 1980°C.

When liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is burning properly, the flame is blue.

A yellow or red flame is usually indicative of incomplete LP gas combustion.

What are LPG Limits of Flammability

The lower and upper limits of LP gas flammability are the percentages of liquefied petroleum gas – LPG that must be present in an LP gas/air mixture.

This means that between 2.15% and 9.6% of the total LP gas/air mixture must be LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) in order for it to be combustible.

What is Liquefied Petroleum Gas – What is a LPG Flash Point Temperature

The flash point of liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (propane) is -104°C or -156°F.

This is the minimum temperature at which propane will burn on its own after ignition.

Below this temperature, liquid petroleum gas will stop burning on its own.

However, if a source of continuous ignition is present, LP gas will burn below -104°C.

What is a LPG Autoignition Temperature – Propane & Butane

Autoignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which liquid petroleum gas (LP Gas) will spontaneously ignite in air.

This is without an external source of ignition, like a spark or flame.

The LP gas autoignition temperature decreases as the pressure or oxygen concentration increases.

The autoignition temperature of liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel – Propane – is 470 °C or 878°F.

The autoignition temperature of Butane is 405°C or 761°F.

LP Gas Dissipation

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas is heavier than air and will sink to and collect at the lowest point.

If vented to the outside air, liquefied petroleum gas (liquid petroleum gas) will dissipate with the slightest movement of air.

With liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas vented into a sealed structure, with no air movement, the LP gas will collect on the floor. LP gas will rise toward the ceiling, as more LP gas enters into the structure.

What is a LPG Molecular Weight for Propane – Butane – Isobutane

The molecular weight for LP gas – Propane – is 44.097 kg/kmole.

The molecular weight for Butane (n-butane) is 58.12 kg/kmole.

For Isobutane (i-butane), the molecular weight is the same as for n-butane at 58.12 kg/kmole.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG Vapour (Gas) Use vs. Liquid Use

Liquid LPG in the bottom of the gas bottle

Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG supply is either liquid or vapour.

The difference is in the LP gas extraction from supply cylinder or vessel.

Most liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel (liquid petroleum gas) applications use LP gas vapour.

Appliances such as water heaters, room heaters and cookers all use LP gas vapour.

If these appliances were to have liquid LP gas fuel flow to their burners, the result could be a fire or similar safety hazard.

This is why LP gas cylinders should always be upright, so that any LP gas released is in vapour form only.

What are LPG Things You Didn’t Know – 6 Facts

While you may know some of these LP gas 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. LP gas is Australian Made Energy

5. LP Gas is a Renewable Energy Source

6. LP Gas is NOT Coal Seam Gas (CSG)

1. Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG – LP Gas Cylinder Explosions are Extremely Rare + Video

Hollywood and the media would have you believe that liquefied petroleum gas – LP gas cylinder explosions are a common event.

In fact, LP gas 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 LP gas cylinder explode.

Most gas explosions are the result of gas leaking into a confined space, like a kitchen.

This is no more likely with liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel (liquid petroleum gas) than with piped natural gas.

Often, the gas bottle itself is not even involved in the event, as LP 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. What is a LPG Source: Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LP Gas

Many people mistakenly think of liquefied petroleum gas LPG – 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 funneled 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. What is a LPG Autogas? LP Gas is Australian Made Energy

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – 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 liquefied 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 a LPG Renewable Energy Source – Liquefied Petroleum Gas

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 fuel).

So, Liquefied petroleum gas – LPG (LP Gas) 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. Liquefied 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.

LP gas fuel is not CSG.

While CSG may contain various gases, typical CSG is 95% to 97% pure Methane.

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas fuel (liquid petroleum gas) is not Methane.

Liquefied petroleum gas LPG – LP gas (liquid petroleum gas) is Propane.

General Manager Marketing (ret)

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.

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.