Propane Is Clean Energy

Propane's unique molecular properties make it much safer and cleaner than related petroleum-based energy sources.

Although propane is refined from petroleum products, its unique molecular properties make it much safer and cleaner than related petroleum-based energy sources.

•Virtually non-combustible. Propane won't ignite when combined with air unless the source of ignition reaches 940° F.
•Low emissions. Propane gives off less than half the greenhouse gas emissions that electricity does, considering that more than half of the nation's electricity is produced by coal-fired power plants. Propane exhaust creates 60 percent to 70 percent fewer smog-producing hydrocarbons than gasoline, according to studies by the Southwest Research Institute.
•Nontoxic. Propane is nontoxic and insoluble in water. Because it's released as a gas, it doesn't spill, pool, or leave a residue. That means propane is not harmful to soil or water in the unlikely event of a tank leak.

What Is Propane?

Most people know propane as the fuel in a white container attached to a barbecue grill. But propane has long proven its versatility for heating homes, heating water, cooking, drying clothes, fueling gas fireplaces, and as an alternative fuel for vehicles. However, more propane is used to make petrochemicals which are the building blocks for plastics, alcohol, fibers, and cosmetics, to name just a few.

Propane naturally occurs as a gas at atmospheric pressure but can be liquefied if subjected to moderately increased pressure. It is stored and transported in its compressed liquid form, but by opening a valve to release propane from a pressurized storage container, it is vaporized into a gas for use. Simply stated, propane is always a liquid until it is used. Although propane is non-toxic and odorless, an identifying odor is added so the gas can be readily detected.

Where Does Propane Come From?

A unique feature of propane is that it is not produced for its own sake, but is a by-product of two other processes, natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Figure 1 shows a diagram of where propane comes from and how it gets to the consumer.

Natural gas plant production of propane primarily involves extracting materials such as propane and butane from natural gas to prevent these liquids from condensing and causing operational problems in natural gas pipelines. Similarly, when oil refineries make major products such as motor gasoline and heating oil, some propane is produced as a by-product of those processes.