INTRODUCTION
Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LP gas filled in cylinders found in most of the houses for cooking purposes. LPG-fuelled stoves are the only type available in most suburban villages and many public housing estates.
After the invention of cylinders, the cooking became easy and smoke free in all the houses since, before the introduction of cylinders the food items are prepared using stoves that used kerosene as the main fuel or stove made to burn using woods (tree sticks or branches) which produces smokes. LPG cylinders used for both domestic and industrial purposes.
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WHAT IS LPG?
The dialect form of LPG is 'cylinder gases'. LPG is a non-renewable resource. LPG is colorless, odorless gas. However, to identify the leakage of gas a powerful odorant ethanethiol added purposely. The internationally recognized European standard is EN589. LPG is heavier than air because of its high density.
LPG separated from the petrochemical mixtures in two ways: by refining crude oil (petroleum) and extracting from the natural gas. Both the process involved drilling wells. LPG is a by-product that emerges from the above process. Approximately 60% obtained from natural gas and the remaining 40% obtained from the refining of crude oil.
The LPG is a mixture of many liquids depending on their usage. The liquids can be hydrocarbons propene, propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), and butene. For commercial purposes, the liquids used may also contain ethane, ethylene, and mercaptan.
There are many varieties in LPG, they mostly contain the blends of propane and butane. In the northern hemisphere during the winter season, the LPG has more proportions of propane and during summer, it has more proportions of butane.
The extracted product has a low boiling point and purified to remove hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, and water present in it.
At normal temperature and pressure, LPG acts like a gas. If LPG cooled down or put under pressure, it turns into liquid form.
LPG is stored in the fluid form under pressure in steel vessels, cylinders, and tanks, and then conveyed by pipelines, truck (tanker Lorries), and train. The pressure inside the cylinders or vessels depends on the liquid-filled in it (for the usage) and the outside temperature.
LPG is considered as a higher or superior to other fuels because, it easily transformed into liquid form under pressure, stored in steel cylinders, and transported conveniently. LPG vaporizes with ease even at low temperatures.
LPG is non-toxic or non-poisonous gas. However, if LPG gets leakage it reduces the oxygen level in the air and this causes deaths.
HISTORY OF LPG
LPG first identified and produced from petroleum in 1910 by Dr. Walter O. Snelling an American chemist and explosive expert. Walter O. Snelling identified the liquid part of gasoline is the blends of propane, butane, and other hydrocarbons. He discovered that it is possible to convert gas into liquids and could be stored under moderate pressure. He found that LPG could be used in lighting, metal cutting and in cooking purposes. This made the origin of first LPG cook stove in 1912 and LPG fuelled automobile in 1913.
In 1912, the first domestic propane installation American Gasol Company was started by him. In 1913, he patented for the production of propane on industrial purposes. Later Frank Philips, the founder of the ConocoPhilips oil company, bought the patent from Walter O. Snelling. However, the usage of LPG does not grow by this time.
The practical use of LPG began in 1918, used in brazing lamps, metal cutting blowtorches. Commercial usage does not begin until 1920. In 1922, the US topped in the usage of LPG. LPG first used as motor fuel in 1928. In the same year, LPG Refrigerator made. In 1932, the Olympics held at Los Angeles used LPG for cooking and water heating purposes.
In the mid of 1930s LPG was first introduced in Europe. The fuel imported from the USA to the France. The fuel was bottled and reached France from the East Coast refinery. In 1938, ‘Liquigas’ an Italian company started the facility of filling LPG in bottles near Venice.
LPG (propane, butane) industry grew up stronger by the year 1934. In the few years, the demand for LPG increases as this fuel used in airships, which travelled frequently between Europe and the U.S.
After the World War II, nearly 62% of American households had LPG installation. The first liquefied gas tanker built in 1947. In 1950, Chicago Transit Authority ordered 1000 LPG powered buses in Chicago, in Milwaukee 270 taxis converted into LPG powered taxis. In 1965, 4 new LPG powered engines introduced by Chevrolet for commercial vehicles.
The huge export of LPG not made until 1950. In 1960s the export was less than 1million tons delivered outside the U.S. however in the upcoming years the export got increased and by the year 2000, the fuel shipped was 48 million tons.
In India ‘Indane’ is a LPG brand
developed by IOC (Indian Oil Corporation). Indane is one of the World’s largest
LPG marketers. On 22nd October 1965, the
first Indane connection made at Kolkata.
USES
LPG has many applications worldwide so, LPG referred as ‘World’s most multi-purpose energy’. A few listed below.
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| Two 45 kg (99 lb) LPG cylinders in New Zealand used for domestic supply |
- Most of the consumption of LPG is for household purposes (heating and cooking).
- Autogas : The term used for vehicles that uses LPG as fuel. LPG is cheaper than gasoline and Diesel. It also releases less CO2 .
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| LPG used as a fuel in vehicle |
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| A Shell Autogas refuelling station |
- LPG is commonly used as an air-conditioning refrigerant, both propane and butane considered as energy efficient.
- Cooling process
- Petrochemical Industry: used mainly as feedstock in the production of plastic.
- Agriculture: It used in the drying process, flame weeding.
- In Olympic: LPG used in Olympic torch. It is harmless and comfortable for the bearers to carry the torch around the stadium.
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Comfortable to reserve and transport: it can be refilled either in tanks in the underground or above the surface.
- Used as a centralized heating solutions both for domestic and industries.
- Paper, food-processing industries rely on LPG.
- LPG used in making explosives.
- Electricity Generation : back-up generators, Gas turbines
- Used as fuel in hot air balloons.
- LPG used for trapping mosquitoes.
- The ideal fuel for recreational applications.
HEALTH EFFECTS
- Inhale of LPG vapour causes irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, or death.
- Low vapour concentrations may cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness.
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High vapour concentrations will make indications of oxygen deficiency which, linked with central nervous system despair, may lead to a quick loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, and fatal arrhythmia (heart failure).
- Direct skin contact with liquid LPG causes serious cold burns.
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Cylinders can burst or shatter if involved in a fire.
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LPG is greatly combustible.
- WBC was significantly lower in LPG-exposed workers.
- The mean values of serum significantly higher among LPG workers
EXAMINING THE GAS LEVEL IN THE CYLINDER
Have you examined the level of gas in the cylinder as soon as you buy from the delivery person? Alternatively, are you troubled without knowing the level of the gas when the cylinder will get dry? Do not bother here is the answer to determine the level of gas in the cylinder.
Pour hot water (Luke warm) carefully around the cylinder wall. Leave it for a minute. After a minute touch the cylinder wall, you will feel cool in a particular place it is the exact level of the gas present in the cylinder.
THE EXPIRY OF CYLINDER
Are you aware that the cylinder (without fuel) has an expiry? Expired cylinders are not safe to use it can cause accidents.
Here is the answer for how and where to check the expiry of cylinders.
On top of the cylinder, it has three bars or stems. On one of the stem, it coded with alphanumeric characters. The letters start with A, B, C, or D followed by two digits. The alphabets state the quarters (months) of the year and the digits state the validity ending year i.e., the year of expiry.
- A denotes for March (1st quarter) of the year
- B denotes for June (2nd quarter) of the year
- C denotes for September (3rd quarter) of the year
- D denotes for December (4th quarter) of the year
LARGEST PRODUCERS AND EXPORTERS
North America and the Middle East are the largest producers of LPG followed by some Asian regions. Africa is the least producer of LPG.
U.S. is the largest producer and exporter of LPG in the world.
LARGEST CONSUMERS
China is the largest consumer of LPG followed by India in the World. China consumed 48 million tonnes of LPG in 2019. The LPG fuel about 22.8 million tonnes used for residential and commercial purposes and remaining used in industries and petrochemical sectors according to data from Sinopec.
India imported 14.538 million metric tonnes of LPG in 2019. Consumption for 2019 was 26.944 million metric tonnes.
CONCLUSION
LPG has great heat or caloric value. LPG produces a high level of heat in a short lifetime. LPG also has a virtual loss of sulphur, leading to cleaner burning. Normally sold in gas cylinders, LPG is a comfortable, movable energy source that is easy to transport and store.
To mould LPG's good grade even better, a new commodity has entered the market: Bio LPG. A fuel applied instead of or mixed with regular LPG. It functions just like the LPG. Bio LPG obtained from food scrap or vegetable oils – and consequently blows even less CO2. It also has an unlimited shelf life i.e., stored indefinitely without degradation.
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