Many South Africans know LP gas as the gas that is released from smallish blue containers that fuels the braai on Saturday and very little else. So, then precisely what is LP gas? LP gas or Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a somewhat marvelous item in lots of ways. LPG is made by polishing petroleum (a fossil fuel source) in the process of refining crude oil. It may also be extracted from oil wells as it comes forth from the soil.
LP gas is astonishing in that in a pressurised form (to facilitate storage and transport) the propane gas and butane it contains can be 'liquefied' by applying a tiny bit of refrigeration or pressure. This means LPG can easily be transported in tankers because LPG requires +/- 250 times less volume as a liquid than a gas. The particular ratio between the volumes of the vaporized gas and the liquid form is dependent upon the formula (butane to propane) pressure, and heat. Mainly because LPG evaporates quickly at normal temps and pressures it needs to be supplied in pressurized steel cylinders - those typical blue cylinders we all know in South Africa that fuels our braais or heaters. A thing to understand about LPG is that it is more heavy than air, so it will settle on flooring surfaces or move down the stairs to a basement. That situation will cause the downstairs room to be a fire hazard or in fact to suffocate anybody in the basement. Lawfully, however, LPG should be odored by the add-on of ethanethiol, which will instantaneously give off that typical smell of gas leaking. LPG in fact is energy in a bottle that could be somewhat small - think of the butane canisters available for sale to power small gas lamps etc. So as a product it is flexible, it is fast as it quickly releases energy, it is clean and essentially it is transportable, making its application range rather extensive in that it could be utilized in cooking, heating, refrigeration and lighting. LP gas, as a result, makes for the absolute ideal outdoor living companion.
LP gas in South Africa is 'watch dogged' by way of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa, which oversees the safety and business compliance components of the gas. The Organization also manages the price tag on LP gas. The Association advises that people always use an authorized installation technician of appliances, like stove tops and heaters, always use a certified gas supplier, always use a tested and verified gas solution and importantly check the seal on a cylinder to match the brand of the cylinder. Do not buy unmarked cylinders.
There are of course also other functions for LPG in addition to household uses. These days as alternatives to petroleum is desired to drive cars, LPG also plays its part in this pursuit. It is also more and more used as a propellant in aerosol applications in response to the whole question of traditional aerosol propellants adding to the Earth Warming catastrophe through the Ozone layer damage brought on by these chemicals, and for the same motive it is also being utilized in refrigeration as a refrigerant.
As can be learned from the above LPG is an outstandingly versatile solution with some fascinating attributes.
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