thermodynamics are not perfectly understood, but the result is LPG
burning at a rate roughly equivalent to an explosion.
• Flash fire. This is a lesser form of UVCE, usually involving less gas
and hence energy output. In terms of consequences, heat radiation is
more significant than overpressure.
• Jet fires. These are caused by the ignition of LPG escaping from a
facility due to fracture of pipelines, valves and fittings, hoses, and so
on and minor leakage such as flange weep.
• Pool fires. These are caused by leakage and ignition of the liquid
phase when it does not immediately drain away. Pool fires are less
likely to be a problem with proper plant layout and drainage.
225
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
7.9 LPG Merits and Demerits
LPG is made up of two major ingredients, namely propane and butane.
The percentage of the two depends upon the season, as a higher percentage of propane is kept in winter and the same for butane in summer. It is
a nonrenewable fossil fuel that is prepared in a liquid state under certain
conditions.
With more and more people buying vehicles running on LPG, most of
the gas stations provide refueling systems for LPG-run cars. LPG turns out
to be a lot cheaper and efficient in comparison to petrol and diesel. After
petrol and diesel, LPG is the third most extensively used fuel for transportation over the world. The LPG-fitted cars are very popular in countries
such as Japan, Italy, Canada, and Austria. However, people making use of
LPG cylinders for cooking is not allowed, as the cylinders in many countries are available at fairly low rates compared to the ones available at gas
stations.
Today, the LPG kits that are available in the market offer dual fueled or
bi-fueled systems. Automatic and manual switching to LPG from petrol or
diesel or vice versa is available. Using LPG increases the fuel efficiency of
the vehicle as LPG has a high octane value. It causes less corrosion of the
engine because less water is vaporized, however, not everybody is aware of
the safety risks and conservation issues that surround it. Being a flammable
gas, LPG is potentially hazardous. The major disadvantage of using LPG
in a vehicle is that because it does not use lead or any other substitute for
combustion, it damages the valves, resulting in a decrease of the life of the
engine. Moreover, as it is a low-density energy fuel, in comparison to petrol
or diesel, LPG is consumed more but because of the subsidized rates available, it proves to be a lot cheaper.
burning at a rate roughly equivalent to an explosion.
• Flash fire. This is a lesser form of UVCE, usually involving less gas
and hence energy output. In terms of consequences, heat radiation is
more significant than overpressure.
• Jet fires. These are caused by the ignition of LPG escaping from a
facility due to fracture of pipelines, valves and fittings, hoses, and so
on and minor leakage such as flange weep.
• Pool fires. These are caused by leakage and ignition of the liquid
phase when it does not immediately drain away. Pool fires are less
likely to be a problem with proper plant layout and drainage.
225
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
7.9 LPG Merits and Demerits
LPG is made up of two major ingredients, namely propane and butane.
The percentage of the two depends upon the season, as a higher percentage of propane is kept in winter and the same for butane in summer. It is
a nonrenewable fossil fuel that is prepared in a liquid state under certain
conditions.
With more and more people buying vehicles running on LPG, most of
the gas stations provide refueling systems for LPG-run cars. LPG turns out
to be a lot cheaper and efficient in comparison to petrol and diesel. After
petrol and diesel, LPG is the third most extensively used fuel for transportation over the world. The LPG-fitted cars are very popular in countries
such as Japan, Italy, Canada, and Austria. However, people making use of
LPG cylinders for cooking is not allowed, as the cylinders in many countries are available at fairly low rates compared to the ones available at gas
stations.
Today, the LPG kits that are available in the market offer dual fueled or
bi-fueled systems. Automatic and manual switching to LPG from petrol or
diesel or vice versa is available. Using LPG increases the fuel efficiency of
the vehicle as LPG has a high octane value. It causes less corrosion of the
engine because less water is vaporized, however, not everybody is aware of
the safety risks and conservation issues that surround it. Being a flammable
gas, LPG is potentially hazardous. The major disadvantage of using LPG
in a vehicle is that because it does not use lead or any other substitute for
combustion, it damages the valves, resulting in a decrease of the life of the
engine. Moreover, as it is a low-density energy fuel, in comparison to petrol
or diesel, LPG is consumed more but because of the subsidized rates available, it proves to be a lot cheaper.