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Characteristics of LP Gas

Liquefied petroleum gas, also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, liquid petroleum gas or simply propane or butane, is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles.
LP Gas is made up of two liquefiable hydrocarbon gases, commercial Propane and commercial Butane in the ratio of approximately 55% to 45%, however, this can vary to as much as 70% to 30% depending on the availability of the two primary gases. 

lpg burnerQuick Facts:

  • Butane is heavier than propane. In LPG cylinder, butane will be at bottom of cylinder and propane on top.
  • Boiling point of Propane: -42oC.
  • Boiling point of Butane: 0oC.
  • Boiling point of LPG: ± -21oC.
  • LPG is lighter than water, about half the mass of water per volume.
  • 1.86 litre of LP Gas Liquid weighs 1.0kg.
  • 1 litre of LP Gas Liquid weighs 0.54kg.
  • 500 litre of LP Gas Vapour weighs approximitely 1kg when at STP. (Standard Temperatures & Pressures)
  • LP Gas Vapour weighs almost twice as much as air.
  • LP Gas has no smell. Strongly smelling Ethyl Mercaptan is normally added to it so that leaks can be detected by smell long before vapour concentration in air reaches flammable limits.
  • LP Gas cylinders must NEVER be filled to 100% but only between 80% and 85% of their capacity to allow for thermal expansion of the contained liquid.