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In rural areas, where propane is common, with some density (1-5 acre lots), lots of places converted to natural gas after the fracking boom. That’s not to say
by oflannabhra 6y ago
In rural areas, where propane is common, with some density (1-5 acre lots), lots of places converted to natural gas after the fracking boom.
That’s not to say that propane is still not common.
- mrfusion 6y agoYou get natural gas delivered? What’s so special about propane anyway that it’s the defacto portable gas?
- koolba 6y agoIt’s liquid at ambient temperatures under pressure so it transports and stores well. Also it’s a tad more energy dense than natural gas.
- kube-system 6y agoPropane has higher energy density, can be liquified by compression, and doesn't need cryogenic tanks.
- ridgeguy 6y agoPropane is easily transported and stored as a moderately pressurized liquid at ambient temperatures. Propane has a big volumetric advantage over natural gas. Natural gas is mainly methane, liquifies at -160°C, and requires active refrigeration. If your use point is within natural gas piping range, gas is usually the better choice. Propane is the choice for locations not served by piped natural gas.
- mirimir 6y agoFun factoid: Propane leaks are far more dangerous than methane leaks. Methane is less dense than air, so it tends to mix more fully. But propane is more dense than air, so it tends to pool near the floor. And the lower flammability limit for propane is lower (2.1% vs 5.0%). So you reach the lower flammability limit faster. Plus the fact that pilot lights are often near the floor.