LPG

LPG or liquefied petroleum gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons which have the property of existing as gases at atmospheric pressure, turning to liquid at ambient temperature under moderate pressure.
LPG is derived from natural gas creation and the refining of crude oil; on the market it is sold as a mixture (propane/butane) or as commercial propane or butane. LPG, as a mixture of propane and butane, makes up around 5% of natural gas: it is normally separated immediately after extraction of the untreated gas, which mainly contains methane.

Like natural gas, LPG is an energy source with “low environmental impact”, mainly used in the residential sector and transport. This is a biocompatible fuel, in that the amount of harmful substances it contains and the greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere during combustion – whether in domestic use or motor transport – is lower in percentage terms than for traditional liquid fuels.  LPG has been around and in use for over 100 years, but it is currently the fastest growing source of alternative fuel.

In comparison with natural gas, LPG has the advantage that the tanks are smaller and can maintain a lower pressure of only 8 bar (natural gas is stored at 200 bar). The reason for this is that LPG liquefies at a lower pressure, at which point it takes up only 1/260 of its gaseous volume.