What is Bottled Gas?
“Bottled gas” is typically a synonym for “LPG” or “propane”.
Whilst there are actually many types of gas that come in bottles or cylinders, including industrial and welding gases, the term is generally understood to refer to LPG – propane.
In some countries, bottled gas can also refer to butane or propane/butane mixtures of gas.
“What is Bottled Gas?” In Summary:
Bottled gas is a flammable hydrocarbon gas liquefied through pressurisation.
It is also called bottled gas, along with LPG, propane, butane and mixtures of these gases.
Bottled gas comes from natural gas processing and oil refining.
It is stored in gas bottles, cylinders or larger vessels.
It is used as heating, cooking and auto fuel.
This short video (8:29) explains all of the basics of bottled gas…
Bottled Gas Physical Properties
| Bottled Gas Properties | |
| Properties | Bottled Gas |
| Chemical Formula | C3H8 |
| Energy Content: MJ/m3 | 95.8 |
| Energy Content: MJ/kg | 49.58 |
| Energy Content: MJ/L | 25.3 |
| Boiling Temp: Cº | -42 |
| Pressure @ 21ºC: kPa | 858.7 |
| Flame Temp: Cº | 1967 |
| Expansion: m3/L | 0.270 |
| Gas Volume: m3/kg | 0.540 |
| Relative Density: H2O | 0.51 |
| Relative Density: air | 1.53 |
| kg per L | 14.96 |
| L per kg | 0.51 |
| Specific Gravity @ 25ºC | 1.55 |
| Density @ 15ºC: kg/m3 | 1.899 |
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Where Does Bottled Gas Come From?
Bottled gas is a fossil fuel that does not occur in isolation.
Bottled gas is found naturally in combination with other hydrocarbons.
It is produced during natural gas processing and oil refining.
It is isolated, liquefied through pressurisation and stored in pressure vessels.
How is Bottled Gas Made?
Bottled gas is made during natural gas processing and oil refining. It is separated from the unprocessed natural gas using refrigeration.
Bottled gas is extracted from heated crude oil using a distillation tower.
It is then pressurisation and stored as a liquid in cylinders and tanks.
How Bottled Gas is Transported to You
Bottled gas exists as either a gas (vapour) or as a liquid, when it is under a modest amount of pressure in gas bottles, cylinders, tanks and larger LPG storage vessels.
Given that gaseous LPG has a volume 270x that of liquid bottled gas, it is almost always transported in its more compact liquid state.
Bottled gas can be transported in a number of ways, including by ship, rail, tanker trucks, intermodal tanks, cylinder trucks, pipelines and local gas reticulation systems.
Most homeowners receive their bottled gas either by 45kg exchange cylinders or tanker delivery into a large in situ tank.
For BBQs, homeowners typically take their empty gas bottle to a retailer to be refilled or for a swap refill.
What is Bottled Gas Used For?
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Bottled gas is utilised in numerous applications.
Bottled gas is used as a fuel for many residential, commercial and agricultural heat applications, including cooking.
It is also employed as a propellant, refrigerant, vehicle fuel and petrochemical feedstock.
Bottled gas has hundreds, if not thousands, of uses.
The bottled gas uses most people can name are around the home, in their cars or for their business.
It is used in leisure time activities including caravans, boats, recreational vehicles, hot air balloons and camping.
Business and industry use bottled gas for a multitude of processes including steam boilers, kilns, ovens and forklifts.
Crop and produce drying, heating greenhouses, hot water for dairies, irrigation pumps and heating animal enclosures are just some of the agricultural applications for bottled gas.
Transport is also a big user of bottled gas, with either propane alone or mixed with butane, to power various vehicle types.
There are also many, many more bottled gas applications, including power generation and the hospitality industry.
How Does Bottled Gas Work?
Bottled gas is stored under pressure, as a liquid, in a gas bottle.
It turns back into gas vapour when you release some of the pressure in the gas bottle by turning on your appliance.
The gas vapour is at the top of the bottle whilst the liquid LPG is at the bottom (see image).
Almost all of the uses for bottled gas involve the use of the gas vapour, not the liquefied gas.
7 Important Bottled Gas Facts
1. Bottled gas is LPG. LPG is the acronym for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
2. Bottled gas is a flammable hydrocarbon gas that is liquefied through pressurisation and commonly used as fuel.
3. Bottled gas comes from natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
4. Bottled gas is LPG but not all bottled gas is propane. Propane, along with a number of gases, falls under the “LPG” label. The other gases include butane (n-butane) and isobutane (i-butane), as well as mixtures of the three LPG gases.
5. Bottled gas can be compressed into liquid at relatively low pressure.
6. Bottled gas is frequently used for fuel in heating, cooking, hot water and vehicles.
7. Bottled gas is generally stored, as a liquid, in steel vessels ranging from small BBQ gas bottles to larger gas cylinders and storage tanks.
Bottled Gas Goes by Many Names
In Australia, bottled gas has many names.
It is also called LPG, LPG Gas, LP Gas, BBQ Gas or Autogas.
In the USA it is just called Propane.
In the UK, it is referred to as either propane or LPG.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of whether you call it bottled gas, LPG or propane, it is a great source of energy.
Bottled gas is a versatile, transportable, low carbon fuel.
Bottled gas is easy to transport, in cylinders or tankers, making it available virtually everywhere and to everyone.
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.