Propane Properties

A portable source of clean energy!

Propane is often called a liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas or LPG). The term “liquefied gas” may be confusing but is this unique characteristic of LP Gas that makes it such a useful fuel. At normal temperature and pressure, propane is a gas. It changes to a liquid when cooled and moderately pressurized – about twice the pressure in a normal truck tire. 

It is stored and transported in its compressed liquid form, but by opening a valve to release propane from a pressurized storage container, it is vaporized into a gas for use. Simply stated, propane is always a liquid until it is used. Even at -40C propane still vapourizes; that is why propane can even be used at extreme freezing temperatures.

LP Gas is liquefied to make storage and transportation easy and efficient. One unit of propane in a liquid form has the same energy content as 270 units of propane in a gaseous form. If left as a gas, the container to hold the fuel would be 270 times larger than what is required as a liquid.

Here are some other interesting facts:

• Propane is a three-carbon alkane – its molecular formula is C3H8. 
• Propane is an odourless gas to which an odourant has been added to detect leaks. 
• Liquid propane boils (from liquid to vapour) at -44F (-42.2C). 
• At one and a half times the weight of air, propane will settle in low areas. 
• In a liquid form, propane is half the weight of water. 
• About 23.5 cubic feet of air is required to burn one cubic foot of propane. 
• Complete combustion of propane produces clean water vapour and carbon dioxide.

For a detailed list of the Properties of Propane, click here: [ English PDF ]