Properties of LPG
Liquefied Petroleum gas, or LPG as it is better known as, is a hydrocarbon. It contains mainly propane and butane. Since it is an inflammable mixture of all these gases, it has to be stored carefully. The various properties of LPG are:
- It has a simple structure in chemical terms.
- It is one of the cleanest of all alternative fuels.
- It is a liquid under normal pressure but at ambient conditions, it is found to be gaseous.
- LPG in vaporous form is two times heavier than air.
- The boiling point of LPG normally ranges anywhere between -42 degrees to 0 degree. The boiling point depends on what proportions are Butane and Propane present in the mixture.
- LPG is almost colourless and has to be stored as liquid under pressure.
- Its weight is about half that of the same volume of water.
- Ethyl Mercaptan is another product which is used to detect LPG leaks. It works like odorant and helps to know when there are LPG leaks.
- LPG’s Flash point is -76 degrees Fahrenheit.
- LPG is essentially a non toxic substance but it can be dangerous if not handled carefully.
- LPG is also known to cause suffocation.
- It is mildly anaesthetic and can be harmful if it is found to be present in high proportions.
- In spite of its anaesthetic properties, LPG has never been used or considered safe enough for medicinal purposes.
- The ignition temperature of LPG is found to be in the range of 410 to 580 deg Celsius.
· It is also known that liquid LPG has resulted in cold burns to human skin since it causes vaporisation at a very fast rate.