What is Propane?
Propane — sometimes known as liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG — is a gas normally compressed and stored as a liquid. It is nontoxic, colorless, and odorless; an identifying odor is added so it can be detected.
Propane and butane were discovered in 1912 by Dr. Walter Snelling, a U.S. scientist. He identified these gases in gasoline, and he found that cooling and pressuring these gases changed them to liquid. He also learned that the liquefied gases could be stored and transported in pressurized containers.
Propane is most commonly used for space and water heating, for cooking, and as fuel for engine applications such as forklifts; however, its applications are rapidly growing due to new technology developments. When used as vehicle fuel, propane is known as propane autogas.
Propane naturally occurs as a gas, but it can be pressurized and/or cooled into a liquid. Because propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas, it is transported and stored in its liquid state. Propane becomes a gas again when a valve is opened to release it from its pressurized container. When returned to atmospheric pressure, propane becomes a gas so that it can be burned in stoves and heaters.
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Where does Propane come from?
Propane is primarily a byproduct of domestic natural gas processing, though some propane is produced from crude oil refining and from renewable sources. U.S. propane supplies are becoming increasingly abundant due in large part to increased supplies of natural gas.
Propane production in the U.S. has increased markedly with the increases in shale gas and associated gas production from U.S. tight oil plays. Increased oil production from new tight oil plays has increased the volumes of propane produced from domestically sourced crude oil.
The U.S. became a net exporter of propane in 2011.
Renewable propane, made along with other liquid fuels from animal fats and vegetable oils, offers the same clean, efficient, reliable performance as conventional propane. Worldwide production capacity of renewable propane at 15 processing plants, including three in the United States, is about 100 million gallons a year and growing, according to a World LP Gas Association estimate. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory says the potential demand for renewable propane in California alone could surpass 200 million gallons a year by 2030.
Who Uses Propane?
Propane is used in 12 million households as well as many businesses for heat and water heating, indoor cooking, clothes drying, and backup power. Tens of millions more use it for outdoor cooking. Additionally, many industries increasingly choose propane to fuel vehicles and equipment cost-effectively while lowering emissions.
Vehicle Fuel
Propane Autogas is the third most popular vehicle fuel worldwide behind gasoline and diesel. Propane is commonly used to fuel buses, light- and medium-duty trucks, vans, shuttles, taxicabs, and police and government vehicles.
Professional Landscape Equipment
More than 130 models of propane-powered commercial lawn mowers are available today from 18 industry-leading brands, including walk-behind, stand-on, and zero-turn-radius options. Some landscape contractors choose to convert existing equipment to propane using EPA- and CARB-certified kits.
Agricultural Equipment
Propane influences all aspects of farming operations. Nearly 850 million gallons of propane were sold for agricultural use in 2016. This includes propane that is used to run pumps and engines, heat buildings, and dry and process crops.
How is propane distributed?
With up to 56,000 miles of pipeline and thousands of propane suppliers nationwide, propane is widely available and easily portable.11
For vehicles, there are thousands of propane autogas refueling stations across the country. Propane is the only alternative fuel with fueling stations in every state.12
How much does the Propane industry contribute to the U.S. economy?
The propane industry generated nearly $46.2 billion in value in 2015.