Lahore Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was discovered in the early twentieth century. Thousands of applications have been developed to make use of this clean burning, all-purpose, readily available, portable and efficient fuel. LPG provides the same benefits to consumers as natural gas, electricity, petrol and diesel safety and efficiently.
Only this single fuel, LPG can serve such a wide variety of uses as cooking fuel, refrigeration, autogas, flame weeding, heat to provide lift for the first solo non-stop round the world balloon trip, hair spray, and life saving fuel for Mt Everest climbers.
This multi-purpose fuel is composed of propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) and acquires liquid form when subjected to pressure or cooling. In gas form, LPG is highly portable and easily stored. It is a derivative of two large energy industries; natural gas processing and crude oil refining.
When natural gas is drawn from the earth, it is a mixture of several gases and liquids. Methane, which is sold by gas utilities as "natural gas" constitutes about 90 percent of this mixture. Of the remaining 10 percent, 5 percent is propane and 5 percent is other gases such as butane and ethane. Before natural gas can be transported or used, LP Gases, which are slightly heavier than methane, are separated out. World-wide, gas processing is a source of approximately 60% of LPG produced, according to the World LP Gas Association.
In crude oil refining the LP Gases are the first products produced on the way to making the heavier fuels such as diesel, jet fuel, fuel oil, and gasoline. Roughly 3% of a typical barrel of crude oil is refined into LPG although as much as 40% of a barrel could be converted into LPG.
Choosing LPG as an energy source represents a valuable contribution to the ongoing fight to conserve energy and protect the environment. With a wealth of applications, LPG offers numerous ways to provide energy and combat pollution at the same time. The residential and commercial markets where it is used for cooking, heating, water heating, drying, and refrigeration consume some 50% of the world total LPG retail sales. When LPG provides heat, power, and light together, the combined system is a very cost effective total energy source.
LPG is the preferred alternative automotive transportation fuel. Recognised early on in the search for viable alternative fuels, autogas is today the most important and accepted alternative fuel in the automotive sector with more than 7 million vehicles operating throughout the world. There are reasons why LPG is so popular. Driving range is equivalent to gasoline, engines last longer, refuelling infrastructure is affordable, and in many countries the fuel is less expensive. Above its technical and economic advantages, LPG is clean and helps combat urban air pollution.
Besides its use domestically by households, LPG is also being used in several major industries.
Agriculture and horticulture industries around the world know LPG as the "green" fuel. Greenhouse heating, flame weeding, crop drying, waste incineration, distillation and powering equipment are among the ways LPG works in agriculture. In industry the metal working, ceramic and glass producers, textile, paper, construction industries and many others use LPG. These industries value this fuel that provides controllable heat only where wanted and leaves no residue after combustion.
LPG has infinite "shelf life" which means that it does not deteriorate over time. Whether stored in large pressurised or refrigerated tanks, in cylinders for domestic and commercial use or in small butane cigarette lighters, its benefits are the same.
It is the only fuel frequently used in remote locations principally because of its portability. The later is also an advantage when considering capital costs. If end-use demand patterns change or cease, equipment can be easily moved to other sites. This is way LPG is sometimes referred to as a "pipeline on wheels" offering all the benefits of natural gas without infrastructure and capital cost constraints.
In developing and developed countries, LPG is an essential fuel. Access to modern fuels instead of relying on traditional fuels such as wood, dung, kerosene or charcoal becomes a social issue when consumers are denied access to modern fuels and a healthy home environment. LPG is the perfect solution; available now, low cost access, dependable, and clean.
In a world heavily impacted by environmental concerns, LPG can compete with the cleanest. When properly mixed with air to form a combustible mixture it produces virtually no soot and low carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen, which are the basic precursors of ozone sometimes known as "smog". LPG impacts greenhouse gas emissions less than any other fossil fuel when measured through the total fuel cycle.
LPG is colourles, odourless, tasteless, non toxic and contains no additives. Small amounts of odourant are added to aid in detection of leaks. In the event of a leak, LPG will readily vaporise and dissipate into the atmosphere.
LPG production, storage, transportation, use and handling are subject to strict standards and regulations by many international, national and local authorities. When properly handled and used, LPG is a safe fuel with low flammability range, high ignition temperature, immediate vaporisation upon exposure to the atmosphere, a non-poisonous odour in case of a leak. These characteristics make it possible to experience all the benefits without incident.
- Sourced from World LP Gas Association, Economic Survey 2003-2004 by the Government of Pakistan.