When you hear the term gas, many things can run through your mind -and this applies to everyone. You have probably come across LPG gas as this is what most people use to cook. There are striking differences between LPG and natural gas that you probably haven’t heard before. You may be curious and want to know the difference for various reasons. Lucky you, you have come to the right place. Below, you will find the identifying differences between LPG gas and natural gas. It won’t only cure your curiosity; it will also give you a new perspective on both.
Are They the Same?
The first thing most people make a mistake about when it comes to these gases is assuming they are the same. Just because they are gases doesn’t mean they are the same. But it is crucial to know that LPG gas is derived from natural gas. The bottom line is that these gases do share several concepts that aren’t the same. They are both flammable hydrocarbon gases, and they are used in almost the same manner in most places.
LPG Gas
Some of the key differences that come with gas are in energy. With LPG gas, it has higher energy content than natural gas. So when you are trying to generate more power, you’ll likely be using LPG gas. The next difference you’ll get when dealing with these gases is the portability. With LPG, it is far more portable than natural gas, as you may have noticed. It is the primary reason why most people use it today – and it is readily available everywhere. LPG is common everywhere, and it really doesn’t matter what kind of equipment you have. From Rheem, to American Standard, from new Trane installs in the U.S., to servicing Rinnai gas heaters in Sydney, LPG can be found across the globe and running through every heater type. The other thing you need to know is that LPG is slightly cheaper than natural gas. You can easily get it in almost all households as a result.
Natural Gas
You now need to look at where natural gas gets the better of LPG. When it comes to natural gas, you have delivery – it is easier to deliver natural gas through the pipe than it is to deliver LPG via the pipeline. You also get a gas that produces less C02 when burned as compared with LPG. When there’s a leak, you get a significant downside with natural gas as it will dissipate much easier as it is much lighter. This can be seen positively, too, as the quick dissipation makes it a safer gas than LPG.
Summary of Differences
- LPG is propane and butane – Natural gas is methane
- LPG is heavier than air – Natural gas is lighter than air
- LPG needs higher air to gas ratio for combustion – Natural gas doesn’t need the same air levels for combustion
- LPG is distributed in gas bottles – natural gas is delivered in pipelines
- LPG appliances operate at 2.75kPa – natural gas appliances operate at 1.1kPa
- LPG is liquified through pressurization – natural gas is liquified through colonization
- LPG has high energy content at 93.2MJ/m – Natural gas energy levels at 38.7MJ/m
Major Differences
There are several major differences when it comes to natural gas and LPG. They may be used almost the same way in most places but have unique differences that make them the right choice in various situations. These are some of the most notable ones you need to consider.