[TheForge] Propane vs LPG

[Bruce Freeman]

According to the Wikipedia article on Propane:
"Commercially-available "propane" fuel, or LPG, is not pure. Typically
in the USA and Canada, it is primarily propane (at least 90%), with
the rest mostly butane  and propylene (5% maximum), plus odorants.
This is the HD-5 standard, (Heavy Duty-5%maximum allowable propylene
content) written for internal combustion engines. LPG, when extracted
from natural gas, does not contain propylene. LPG, when refined from
crude oil does contain propylene. Not all products labelled "propane"
conform to this standard. In Mexico, for example, the butane content
is much higher."

This website: http://www.propanecarbs.com/propane.html gives more
information, suggesting that, indeed, the composition vairies across
the country.

However, in all likelihood, commercially available "propane" or "LPG"
is all suitable for "propane" burners, and differences would be minor.
 This is because fuels are blended for the desired properties, rather
than for exact chemical compositions.  The  particular note above
concerning differences is with regard to internal combustion engines
which are much fussier than gas burners with respect to the fuel
they're supplied.

In short, I don't think you need to worry about it.

On Fri, Apr 9, 2010 at 4:57 AM, Matt Stevens <Matt at stevens.net.nz> wrote:
> Here in NZ we have LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), a combo of Propane &
> Butane. Propane as a stand-alone fuel source is not available (excepting
> disposable imported canisters for camp cookers etc).
>
> I'm looking clarify what is meant in the US by Propane. Is it literally
> 100% Propane, or is it another name for LPG where Propane is blended
> with Butane.
>
> Obviously this affects my burner choice & numbers needed...
>
> Cheers
> Matt
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-- 
Bruce
NJ