What?s the difference between LPG and Natural Gas?

Posted by alka on April 20th, 2017

Most LPG in Dubai is mostly either Propane or Butane. The hydrocarbon is a byproduct of natural gas processing and oil/petroleum refining, which is entirely derived from fossil fuels.

LPG is colourless and odourless in nature. But often a stenching agent called ‘Ethyl Mercaptan’ is added to produce an unpleasant smell to detect the gas leak. It is heavier than air and considered less pollutant to the environment.

 

Applications

  • LPG is primarily used as a fuel for cooking, heating appliances, etc.

  • Autogas for fueling vehicles.

  • Widely used as aerosol propellant gases and refrigerant gases.

  • Powers generators and turbines.

  • Used as a photochemical feedstock.

  • Employed in cutting welding supplies as a welding torch.

  • Industries like dying, painting, agriculture and food processing also use LPG for heating applications.

What is Natural Gas?

Natural Gas often referred as ‘Gas’ is a hydrocarbon gas mixture, consisting primarily of Methane. The mixture also traces a small amount of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, helium, and other higher alkanes. Similar to oil processing, natural gas is also extracted from fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals under the earth's surface.

It is colourless, odourless and tasteless in its original form. Mercaptan is added to the gas to detect the gas leak. Since it is a fossil fuel gas, it is considered as a non-renewable energy.

Applications

  • Natural Gas offers a range of liquid gas services for power generation - cogeneration, gas turbines and steam turbines.

  • Used as a domestic and heating fuel.

  • Automobile fuel.

  • Applied to produce hydrogen.

  • Serves many purposes including heating/cooling, gas-heated clothes dryers, and central heating.

The Difference

Some people think LPG and Natural Gas are the same, but they are not. Here’s why:

  • The major different is that they are different chemical compounds. LPG, the most preferred gas for cooking, is a mixture of Propane and Butane. Whereas Nature Gas is a mixture of Methane and Ethane.

  • The smaller molecules Methane and Ethane have high pressure while Propane and Butane have low pressure and can be compressed to liquids. Thus, called ‘Liquefied’ and compressed into LPG Bottled Gas.

  • LPG has a higher calorific value of 93.2MJ/m3 compared to 38.7MJ/m3 for natural gas. Meaning that, with this typical calorific value, less LPG is required to provide efficient energy than natural gas.

  • For proper combustion, LPG requires an oxygen to gas ratio of approximately 25 to 1. Whereas natural gas needs 10 to 1.

  • LPG can readily burn and emits no black soot or residue. Thus, burns more cleanly the natural gas.




 

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alka

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alka
Joined: April 3rd, 2017
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