What is the Difference Between Methane and Natural Gas?
Processed natural gas, as delivered via gas mains, is typically almost pure methane.
So, there is really no difference between methane and refined natural gas.
Unprocessed natural gas straight from the gas well contains NGLs and impurities, in addition to methane.
LPG vs Natural Gas Price - Is LPG Cheaper than Natural Gas?
Ø Many customers now find that LPG is cheaper than natural gas. For some low volume users, the total cost of the LPG is cheaper and may be less than half of the cost of the natural gas.
Ø The relative positions of LPG vs natural gas price has changed over time. Due to exports, natural gas price is now driven upward by the world price for LNG - Liquefied Natural Gas.
Ø In addition, natural gas suppliers charge for something called a 'Daily Supply Charge' or by a similar name.
Ø This is, in reality, a network access charge for being hooked up to the natural gas pipelines.
Ø The problem is that the price of the Daily Supply Charge has been escalating and is now over $1 per day in many areas.
Ø This amounts to over $400 per year, before you even get the first molecule of gas, with a number of natural gas tariffs.
Ø Because of the above, LPG is now cheaper than natural gas in many cases.
Ø It also depends on where you are located and how much gas you use.
Ø Your location matters because of the different ways that the two gases are priced.
Ø LPG is typically cheaper for low volume users, as the Daily Supply Charge can total to more than $400 per year.
Ø The situation may be different for higher volume users and with varying tariffs.
Ø The end result makes LPG cheaper than natural gas in many circumstances and especially for residential users with low to moderate rates of consumption*.
Calorific Value of LPG (Propane) vs Calorific Value of Natural Gas
The calorific value of natural gas (methane) is 38.7MJ/m3. The calorific value of LPG gas (propane) is 93.2MJ/m3. So, LPG has a higher energy content than natural gas. With this higher calorific value, less LPG is required to produce the same amount of heat.
Which has More Heating Value Methane or Propane?
Assuming that "heating value" and "calorific value" are synonymous, this is just another way of asking the previous question.
LPG has a higher heating value - energy content - than natural gas, with 93.2MJ/m3 vs 38.7MJ/m3.
Which Burns Hotter Liquid Propane (LPG) or Natural Gas?
Ø LPG burns slightly hotter than natural gas.
Ø LPG - propane - burns ar 1967ºC or 3573ºF.
Ø Natural gas burns at 1950ºC or 3542ºF.
Is Conventional Natural Gas Better for Cooking than LPG?
Ø It would be difficult, if not impossible, to tell the difference between cooking with natural gas and LPG.
Ø The flame temperatures are almost identical, they both respond instantly to temperature control changes and they both look the same.
Ø The user would be unaware of the differences in the gas to air ratio and gas supply pressure.
Ø Whilst the energy content on natural gas is lower, it is typically less expensive so it tends to cancel out.
Ø It really comes down to the prices and tariffs of the two to determine which has a lower effective cost, after daily supply charges (network access fee), other charges and the actual cost of the gas.
Is Methane More Flammable than Propane?
Ø Methane has an autoignition temperature of 537°C (999°F)
Ø Propane has an autoignition temperature of 470°C (878°F)
Ø The autoignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which a substance spontaneously ignites in air, with no other ignition source.
Ø So, based on their respective autoignition temperatures, propane is more flammable than methane because it spontaneously ignites at a lower temperature.
Is Methane Flammable Without Oxygen?
Ø Methane will not burn without oxygen.
Ø In fact, the percentages of oxygen must be within methane's limits of flammability, which are 4.4% to 17%
LPG Needs More Oxygen
Ø The second difference is in the oxygen to gas ratio required for proper combustion.
Ø LPG requires an oxygen to gas ratio of approximately 25 to 1.
Ø Natural gas requires a ratio of around 10 to 1.
Ø To achieve this difference, LPG is typically provided in a smaller quantity but at a higher pressure, drawing more oxygen with it into the combustion process.
Density Difference Between LPG and Natural Gas
Ø There is a density difference between LPG and natural gas. LPG is more dense (has a higher specific gravity) than natural gas. Natural gas (methane) is less dense than air, at a relative density of 0.5537 to 1.
Ø LPG (propane) is more dense than air, at a relative density of 1.5219 to 1.
Ø So, LPG settles whilst natural gas rises.
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
Ø The term LPG actually encompasses more than one type of gas.
Ø There are a number of hydrocarbon gases that fall into the category of LPG.
Ø Their common characteristic is that they can be compressed into liquid at relatively low pressures.
Ø The two most common are Propane and Butane.
What are Natural Gas Liquids – NGLs?
Ø Natural Gas Liquids – NGLs – are heavier gaseous hydrocarbons that are included in the raw natural gas stream from the wellhead.
Ø NGLs include propane, butane, isobutane, ethane, ethene, propene, isobutene, butadiene, pentane, and pentene and pentanes plus.
Ø Pentanes Plus is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons, mostly pentanes and heavier. Natural gasoline is the largest component of pentanes plus.
Ø Raw natural gas also contains impurities including water vapour, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds that must be removed.
Ø Propane, butane and isobutane are the three gases that are typically sold as LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
LPG (Propane)
Ø Propane is the gas that is supplied to virtually all homes and most businesses that purchase LPG in Australia.
Ø LPG is supplied in 45kg gas bottles that are either exchanged or refilled on site by LPG tankers.
Ø LPG goes by a number of names in Australia including LPG, LPG gas, bottled gas, Propane, BBQ gas, camping gas and LP gas. It’s all the same gas.
Ø The chemical formula for Propane is C3H8.
LPG (Butane)
Ø Butane is supplied to certain businesses that specify Butane, as opposed to Propane.
Ø Butane has some specific applications where it has advantages over Propane.
Ø These include greenhouse applications and use as a propellant in aerosols.
Ø The chemical formula for Butane is C4H10.
Percentage of Propane and Butane in LPG
Ø LPG can vary from 100% propane to 100% butane.
Ø The determining factor is primarily the availability of each where you are located.
Ø Different countries and regions have varying access to the supply of each gas.
Autogas (Propane/Butane mix)
Ø Autogas that is sold at petrol stations can be either just Propane or a Propane/Butane mix.
Ø Not only is running an LPG car economical, but Autogas is also cleaner burning fuel than petrol, so engine life is actually extended and greenhouse gas emissions reduced.