The Use of LPG

Article by Florent Gasquet

LPG, otherwise also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas, is used as fuel, especially for vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. It is actually a mixture of hydrocarbon gases. LPG is also used as an aerosol propellant and refrigerant to avoid damage to the ozone layer (previously caused by other chemicals). There are varieties of LPG – such as propane gas and butane gas – and each of them has its own properties and usage. The main source of LPG is usually from fossil fuel, found underground. In order to obtain LPG, there are factories for refining crude oil and streams of gas and fuel from the ground. The production of LPG involves refining petroleum or crude oil, and was introduced in 1912.

There are many uses for LPG, especially propane gas and butane gas. First, LPG is used to fuel vehicles. The reason people are using LPG as fuel for their vehicles is because it burns cleaner than petrol and diesel. However, the only down side is it may damage the valve and shorten its life (although this is hotly disputed). Still, it is an excellent choice of fuel for vehicles. There are many gas stations providing LPG as one of the fuels on offer. If you need a ‘clean’ fuel, LPG would be the best choice compared to other types of fuel.

Another use is as a refrigerant. Propane gas and butane gas are used to make hydrocarbon refrigerants. Hydrocarbons are known to be more energy efficient and cheaper than other chemicals, which is why it is suitable to be used as refrigerants. CFCs have a very bad impact on the ozone, as it damages the ozone layer thus increasing the green house effect and global warming (again, this too is hotly disputed).

Another popular use is as a cooking fuel. LPG is very popular, especially among countries like India and other Asian countries. LPG is used as a cooking fuel for households and even businesses such as restaurants. As for propane, it is more popularly being used as fuel for barbeques and portable stoves. This is because propane has a low boiling point, so it will vaporize once it is released from the container. Butane, on the other hand, is famously bottled as fuel for lighters and deodorants. When propane and butane combine together, they become LPG.

Believe it or not, LPG and renewable energy can work side by side – especially in colder seasons such as winter, when there is lack of sunlight for a solar panel to generate enough power for heating. At these times, LPG can be used as a back-up or secondary fuel in generating the energy for the household. For example, in order to heat water in winter, LPG is used alongside a solar panel to provide enough energy for this purpose.

Overall, LPG is a good choice of fuel, especially for vehicles such as cars if you want to save on fuel and have a cleaner burning fuel when compared to petrol and diesel). However, if your vehicles are not suitable for LPG fuel, you will need to modify your vehicles at an authorised dealer.