What is
Liquid Gas?
The term “Liquid Gas” may seem a contradiction in terms since all things in nature are either a liquid, solid or a gas. Yet, liquidity is the unique character of Liquid Gas that makes it such a popular and widely-used fuel. At normal temperature and pressure, Liquid Gas is gaseous but it changes to a liquid when subjected to modest pressure or cooling.
Liquid Gas is a portable, clean and efficient energy source that is readily available to consumers around the world. Liquid Gas is primarily obtained from natural gas and oil production, but is also produced increasingly from renewable sources. Its unique properties make them a versatile energy source which can be used in more than 1,000 different applications.
LPG
LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas and the term is used to describe two natural gas liquids: propane and butane, or a mix of the two. Propane and butane are chemically quite similar, but the small differences in their properties mean that they are particularly suited to specific uses. Often, propane and butane will be mixed to get the best energy yields and properties.
DME
DME (dimethyl ether) is a clean, colourless gas that is easy to liquefy and transport. It has remarkable potential for increased use as an automotive fuel, for power generation, and in industrial and domestic applications for heating and cooking.
DME has been used for decades in the personal care industry (as a benign aerosol propellant), and is now increasingly being exploited for use as an ultra-clean alternative fuel and energy carrier.
DME can be produced from a variety of abundant sources, including natural gas, coal, waste from pulp and paper mills, forest products, agricultural by-products, municipal waste and dedicated fuel crops such as switchgrass.
Liquid Gas by the numbers
More than three billion people use Liquid Gas
Global Liquid Gas consumption exceeds 300 million tonnes
Liquid Gas is used on all six continents, from Asian megacities to remote bases on Antarctica
Documentary
The Story of LPG
LPG: Propane or Butane?
LPG stands for “Liquefied Petroleum Gas” and the term is used to describe two Natural Gas Liquids: propane and butane, or a mix of the two. Propane and butane are chemically quite similar but the small differences in their properties mean that they are particularly suited to specific uses. Often, propane and butane will be mixed to get the best energy yields and properties.
Propane
Propane’s lower boiling point is perfect for outdoor storage and it is primarily used for central heating, commercial applications, cooking and transport.
Butane
Butane is mainly shipped in cylinders for portable applications such as mobile heaters or for leisure activities such as boats, caravans and barbecues. Butane can also be used as a propellant, refrigerant or to fuel welding torches.
What is Liquid Gas
Where does Liquid Gas come from?
It all starts with nature. Propane and butane, which make up LPG, are naturally occurring. The majority of LPG is recovered during natural gas and oil extraction whilst the remaining 40% is a co-product of oil refining or made from waste or renewable vegetable oils.
Although tied to the production of natural gas and crude oil, LPG has its own distinct advantages and can perform nearly every fuel function of the primary fuels from which it is derived. The fact that it can be easily liquefied makes LPG a highly versatile energy alternative and thanks to a wide variety of packaging and storage options, LPG has numerous fuelling applications.
Natural Gas Processing
Oil Refining
Renewable Liquid Gas
Natural Gas Processing
Most natural gas wells are ‘wet’ wells. As natural gas comes out of the ground, it contains a number of other Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) that represent up to 10% of the total volume. These include, amongst others, propane, isobutane and butane, also known as LPG. Before natural gas is marketed, some NGLs, including propane and butane, are separated out of the unprocessed gas stream.
Worldwide, gas processing is the source of approximately 60% of LPG produced.
Oil Refining
LPG is also a co-product of oil refining. In an oil refinery, LPG is produced at various stages: atmospheric distillation, reforming, cracking and others.
The LPG produced will represent between 1 and 4% of crude oil processed. This yield will depend on the type of crude oil, the degree of sophistication of the oil refinery and the market values of propane and butane compared to other oils products.
Worldwide, refining is the source of approximately 40% of LPG produced.
BioLPG
Recently, new methods of producing LPG from renewable sources and waste have emerged. These forms of BioLPG combine all the benefits of LPG with extremely low carbon emissions.
BioLPG, or Renewable LPG, is created from renewable and waste materials. The feedstocks undergo a series of sophisticated treatments to purify their energy content.
BioLPG/Renewable LPG is chemically identical to conventional LPG. It can replace conventional LPG but the two can also be blended and used by existing appliances.
Watch Episode 2
Story of LPG
Where is Liquid Gas used?
Hundreds of millions of people currently use Liquid Gas and depend on it for thousands of applications, in commercial business, industry, transportation, farming, power generation, cooking, heating and for recreational purposes.
Liquid Gas &
Society
With an immediate and global availability, environmental benefits, its natural co-product origin, transportation flexibility and diverse application, Liquid Gas plays a pivotal role in the transition towards a more secure, sustainable and competitive energy model.