LPG Overview

LPG is a clean and safe energy source

What is LPG?

LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and generally refers to propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). There are some differences between propane and butane in terms of applications. Propane is widely used for households and restaurants as an energy source for heating and cooking, while butane is widely used for vehicles as fuel.

Key Features

· LPG liquefies and evaporates easily
· LPG is transported in liquid form.
· LPG is heavier than air at room temperature (15℃). So, ventilation is important as LPG leaks can create a gas layer above the floor.
· LPG is colorless and odorless, so it is packed with odorant before shipping so that any leaks can be easily detected.
· In the case of prolonged use of LPG, sufficient ventilation must be provided to ensure a sufficient volume of air supply.
· LPG is relatively non inflammable, so is relatively safe to use.
· LPG has a high calorific value.

Production

· Production in Oil Refinery
LPG is retrieved by physical (distillation) or chemical treatment (reforming) of crude petroleum, or by cracking processes.
· Production in Petro-Chemical Plant
LPG is produced by hydrocracking olefin gas, which is a byproduct retrieved in the extraction of ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene from naphtha.
· Production from Natural Gas
Besides methane and ethane which are produced in the gas fields, wet natural gas including LPG and natural gasoline which are easy to condense and liquefy by pressurization and cooling is also produced at the time of crude oil mining in the oil production sites including ones in the Middle East.

Transportation

LPG is transported in refrigerated vessels, coastal pressurized gas vessels, tank lorries, pipelines and containers

Storage

LPG is stored through room temperature pressurization (underground cavern, storage tank and pressurized containers) and low temperature refrigeration (freezing tank)

Applications

LPG has a variety of applications including transportation, households/business, small bulk, industrial use, petro-chemical and calorific value adjustment.

LPG Quality Standard

· Safety Control and Business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act (2020-22 notification by the Minister of Trade Industry and Energy, Korea)
· Clean Air Conservation Act (Attachment 33 of Enforcement Decree, Clean Air Conservation Act)

· You can download propane MSDS, butane MSDS