LP Gas Properties and Facts for Proper Fueling Techniques
Get to Know the Properties of Propane Get the Right Propane Accessories for Proper Fueling
Propane is a very handy and useful fuel resource. It also goes by the recognition of Liquid Petroleum or LP gas. Crude oil from nature is refined down into the petroleum to be used as a heating method for buildings and RVs, cooking for grills and fire pits, or to fuel appliances and vehicles. It is a cleaner fuel resource compared to other burning fuels is a preferred energy alternative over coal and electricity.
There is a lot of science behind the properties of propane gas. It is stored as a liquid within the propane tanks and because a fuel source when mixed with oxygen. Other liquefied petroleum gases include butane and isobutane.
Listed below is a complete list of properties for propane gas and how it responds to different climate differences and circumstances. Determining the purpose of the propane tank and the conditions it will be stored in will affect the proper use and function of the gas.
The properties listed below will govern the types of propane accessories that will be most effective for the desired outcome of the propane tank.
In-Depth Glance at the Properties of Propane
Formula C3H8
Boiling Point, ÂșF -44
Specific Gravity of Gas (Air=1.00) 1.50
Specific Gravity of Liquid (Water=1.00) 0.504
Lbs. per Gallon of Liquid at 60Âș F 4.20
BTU per Gallon of Gas at 60Âș F 91502
BTU per Lb. of Gas 21548
BTU per Cu. Ft. of Gas at 60Âș F 2488
Cu. Ft. of Vapor (at 60Âș F) Gal. 36.38
Cu. Ft. of Vapor (at 60Âș F) Lb. 8.66
Latent Heat of Vaporization at Boiling Point BTU/Gal. 773
Combustion Data: Cu. Ft. Air Required to Burn 1 Cu. Ft. Gas 23.86
Flash Point, ÂșF -156
Ignition Temperature in Air, ÂșF 920-1120
Maximum Flame Temperature in Air, ÂșF 3595
Limits of Flammability Percentage of Gas in Air Mixture; At Lower Limit â % 2.15
At Upper Limit â % 9.6
Octane Number (ISO-Octane=100) Over 100
Vapor Pressure of LP Gases
| Temperature (°F) | Approximate Pressure (PSIG) |
| -40 | 3.6 |
| -30 | 8 |
| -20 | 13.5 |
| -10 | 23.3 |
| 0 | 28 |
| 10 | 37 |
| 20 | 47 |
| 30 | 58 |
| 40 | 72 |
| 50 | 86 |
| 60 | 102 |
| 70 | 127 |
| 80 | 140 |
| 90 | 165 |
| 100 | 196 |
| 110 | 220 |
Approximate BTU Input For Some Appliances
| Appliance | Approximate Input (BTU per Hour) |
| Range, free standing, domestic | 65,000 |
| Built-in oven or broiler unit, domestic | 25,000 |
| Built-in top unit, domestic | 40,000 |
| Water Heater, (Quick Recovery) automatic storageâ | |
| 30 Gallon Tank | 30,000 |
| 40 Gallon Tank | 38,000 |
| 50 Gallon Tank | 50,000 |
| Water Heater, automatic instantaneous | |
| (2 gal. per minute) | 142,800 |
| (4 gal. per minute | 285,000 |
| (6 gal. per minute) | 428,400 |
| Refrigerator | 3,000 |
| Clothes Dryer, Domestic | 35,000 |
| Gas Light | 2,500 |
| Gas Logs | 30,000 |
Vaporization Rate â 100 Lb. Propane Cylinders (Approximate)
| Lbs of Propane in Cylinder | Maximum Continuous Draw in BTU Per Hour At Various Temperatures in Degrees F. | ||||
| 0°F | 20°F | 40°F | 60°F | 70°F | |
| 100 | 113,000 | 167,000 | 214,000 | 277,000 | 300,000 |
| 90 | 104,000 | 152,000 | 200,000 | 247,000 | 277,000 |
| 80 | 94,000 | 137,000 | 180,000 | 214,000 | 236,000 |
| 70 | 83,000 | 122,000 | 160,000 | 199,000 | 214,000 |
| 60 | 75,000 | 109,000 | 140,000 | 176,000 | 192,000 |
| 50 | 64,000 | 94,000 | 125,000 | 154,000 | 167,000 |
| 40 | 55,000 | 79,000 | 105,000 | 131,000 | 141,000 |
| 30 | 45,000 | 66,000 | 85,000 | 107,000 | 118,000 |
| 20 | 36,000 | 51,000 | 68,000 | 83,000 | 92,000 |
| 10 | 28,000 | 38,000 | 49,000 | 60,000 | 66,000 |
This chart shows the vaporization rate of containers in terms of the temperature of the liquid and the wet surface area of the container. When the temperature is lower of if the container has less liquid in it, the vaporization rate of the container is a lower value.
Vaporization of ASME Storage Containers
Determining Propane Vaporization Capacity âRule of Thumbâ Guide for ASME LP-Gas Storage Containers Where
DÂ = Outside diameter in inches
LÂ = Overall length in inches
K = Constant for percent volume of liquid in container
| % of Container Filled | K Equals | *Propane Vaporization Capacity at 0°F (in BUU/hr.) |
| 60 | 100 | D X L X 100 |
| 50 | 90 | D X L XÂ 90 |
| 40 | 80 | D X L XÂ 80 |
| 30 | 70 | D X L XÂ 70 |
| 20 | 60 | D X L XÂ 60 |
| 10 | 45 | D X L XÂ 45 |
*These formulae allow for the temperature of the liquid to refrigerate to -20ÂșF (below zero), producing a temperature differential of 20ÂșF for the transfer of heat from the air to the containerâs âwettedâ surface and then into the liquid. The vapor space area of the vessel is not considered. Its effect is negligible.