5 ms·

Oh, sorry, I didn't actually mean "natural gas that comes from a magic pipe" -- I meant propane that sits in a big tank in the backyard. I know intellectually

by cduzz 5y ago

Oh, sorry, I didn't actually mean "natural gas that comes from a magic pipe" -- I meant propane that sits in a big tank in the backyard. I know intellectually that they're different gases, probably with different numbers of carbons in the molecule, but I have the bad habit of using them interchangeably.... In the "rural" areas I spend the most time in (cape cod, not exactly rural but also with sketchy utilities) people mostly have generators running off of big (well, probably medium sized) propane tanks that I imagine may also be used for cooking / heating as well. I'm more curious about the stability of the fuel over the long term if it isn't cycled often, where I imagine propane / NG has an advantage, but I guess if you're using it as backup to solar and wind, there's an expectation that you'll go through a couple tanks a winter regardless so stability isn't as much of an issue.

nickff 5y ago
Propane and methane are very different, and you should be careful about the differences if you use either. Propane is almost always sold as liquefied propane gas (LPG) at a relatively low pressure, whereas natural gas is almost always sold in its pressurized or compressed gaseous form. The most important difference is that if you have a natural gas leak, it will 'float' in the air, and dissipate; propane will (dangerously) 'sink', and pool around the source, and is liable to explode. Indoor propane installations should always have at least one propane detector.
- robocat 5y ago
  LPG stands for liquified petroleum gas, which is sometimes just propane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas
- Dylan16807 5y ago
  > Propane and methane are very different, and you should be careful about the differences if you use either. Also be careful to note that "natural gas" is mostly methane but with a significant mix of heavier hydrocarbons too.

by cduzz 5y ago

nickff 5y ago

Propane and methane are very different, and you should be careful about the differences if you use either. Propane is almost always sold as liquefied propane gas (LPG) at a relatively low pressure, whereas natural gas is almost always sold in its pressurized or compressed gaseous form. The most important difference is that if you have a natural gas leak, it will 'float' in the air, and dissipate; propane will (dangerously) 'sink', and pool around the source, and is liable to explode. Indoor propane installations should always have at least one propane detector.

robocat 5y ago
LPG stands for liquified petroleum gas, which is sometimes just propane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas
Dylan16807 5y ago
> Propane and methane are very different, and you should be careful about the differences if you use either. Also be careful to note that "natural gas" is mostly methane but with a significant mix of heavier hydrocarbons too.