Propane Gas Properties
| BTU per Gallon | 91,547 |
| BTU per Cubic Foot | 2,516 |
| BTU per Pound | 21,591 |
| Pounds per Gallon | 4.24 |
| Cubic Feet per Gallon | 36.39 |
| Cubic Feet per Pound | 8.58 |
| Specific Gravity of Vapor | 1.52 |
| Specific Gravity of Liquid | 0.509 |
| Boiling Point in Degrees Fahrenheit | -44 |
| Vapor Pressure in PSIG at 0 degrees Fahrenheit | 23.5 |
| Vapor Pressure in PSIG at 100 degrees Fahrenheit | 172 |
Propane Chemical Formula C3-H8
(3 Parts Carbon – 8 Parts Hydrogen)
| Octane number | 125 |
| Motor Fuel R/M | 104 |
| Cu. Ft. Air Required to Burn 1 Cu. Ft. Gas | 23.5 |
| Ignition Temperature | 920 degrees to 1020 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Maximum Flame Temperature | 3600 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Flashpoint | L.E.L. (Lower Explosive Limit) – 2.4% |
| Flammability | U.E.L. (Upper Explosive Limit) – 9.5% |
Propane Gas Is “Portable Energy”
Clean – Safe – Economical
The propane industry has developed numerous methods to make the transport and use of propane safe:
- Propane equipment and appliances are manufactured to rigorous safety standards.
- Propane has a narrow range of flammability when compared with other petroleum products. In order to ignite, the propane/air mix must contain from 2.2 to 9.6 percent propane vapor. If the mixture contains less than 2.2 percent gas, it is too lean to burn. If it contains more than 9.6 percent, it is too rich to burn.
- Propane won’t ignite when combined with air unless the source of ignition reaches at least 940 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, gasoline will ignite when the source of ignition reaches only 430 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If liquid propane leaks, it doesn’t puddle but instead vaporizes and dissipates into the air.
- Because it is released from a pressured container as a vapor, propane can’t be ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels.
- Because propane is virtually odorless and colorless in its natural state, a commercial odorant is added so propane can be detected if it leaks from its container.