LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consists mainly of propane, propylene, butane, and butylene

in various proportions according to its state or origin. The components of LPG are gases at normal temperatures and pressures, but can easily be liquefied for storage by an increase in pressure to about 8 atmospheres or by a reduction in temperature. LPG used in motor cars is stored on board the vehicle in a steel cylinder in liquid form, but is converted to gaseous form via a regulator before supply to intake to the engine. LPG Production and Delivery LPG is a by-product from two sources: natural gas processing and crude oil refining. Natural gas, as extracted at the well-head, contains methane and other light hydrocarbons. The light hydrocarbons are separated in a gas processing plant using high pressures and low temperatures. The natural gas liquid components recovered during processing include ethane, propane, and butane, as well as heavier hydrocarbons. Propane and butane, along with other gases, are also produced during crude oil refining as a by-product of the processes that rearrange and or break down molecular structures to obtain more desirable petroleum compounds. Flow chart of production and delivery is given below:

Advantages of LPG

Cold engine start emission reduction due to its gaseous state. It has lower peak pressure during combustion, which generally reduces noise and improves durability.

LPG fuel systems are sealed and evaporative losses are negligible.

Easily transportable with minimum support infrastructure compared to CNG.

LPG vehicles do not require special catalysts.

LPG has lower particle emissions and lower noise levels relative to diesel and petrol. Also it contains negligible toxic components.

Its low emissions have low greenhouse gas effects and low NOx precursors.

LPG can be produced from both natural gas fields and oil refinery sources.

Disadvantages of LPG

Ignition requirements for LPG are not the same as for petrol operation; At low RPM the burning rate of LPG is slower and more advance is needed; at high speeds the burning rate is faster, consequently less advance is needed.

LPG has relatively high energy content per unit mass but energy content per unit volume is lower than diesel and petrol, which explains why LPG tanks take more space than liquid fuel tanks. These are pressure vessels so that they also weigh more than liquid fuel tanks but less than CNG cylinder. It is heavier than air, which requires appropriate handling. CNG which is lighter than air and move upwards in case of leakage whereas LPG travels like a snake and can reach to the source of ignition.

In case of leakage LPG converts to gaseous state, in this case LPG has much higher flammability limits compared to CNG and even higher than petrol.

It has a high expansion coefficient so that tanks can only be filled to 80% of capacity. LPG cylinder can explode when Liquid converts to vapor if exposed to high temperature; phenomena called BLEVES (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion). LPG in liquid form can cause cold bums to the skin in case of inappropriate handling as it is cryogenic to some extent