How Propane Is Made and Other Fun Facts

Propane is one of the most versatile and clean-burning fuels around, able to power just about any appliance inside or outside your home. But how much do you really know about this great green gas?

Get to know more about propane with these ten facts – or check out this video for even more!

1. Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C3H8; it is one of the lightest hydrocarbons in existence, which makes it one of the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels.
2. In its natural state, propane is nontoxic, colorless, and virtually odorless; an odorant (which smells like rotten eggs) is added for safety’s sake.
3. Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas – which is why it’s far more economical to store and transport as a liquid.
4. Most domestic propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing – specifically, propane is extracted as part of a process that removes condensation from natural gas pipelines. Current U.S. propane supplies are abundant due in large part to an overall increase in natural gas production. 

   Some propane is also produced from the crude oil refinement process. During the stabilization stage of crude oil refining, heavier hydrocarbons sink, while lighter hydrocarbons (such as propane) rise, making them easy to remove. Combined with butane, propane constitutes between one and four percent of processed crude oil.

5. Nearly 90 percent of the U.S. propane supply is produced domestically, meaning that choosing propane supports domestic fuel independence. About three-quarters of the remaining domestic propane supply comes from Canada or Mexico.
6. Propane is the only alternative fuel listed in the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992; neither the process by which propane is produced nor the combustion of propane gas produces significant acid rain contaminants.
7. Propane gas does not spill, pool, or leave a residue; this makes it harmless to soil or groundwater if a tank leaks.
8. Propane furnaces can be up to 95 percent efficient; propane tankless water heaters can achieve even greater efficiency – up to 98 percent.
9. Propane clothes dryers dry more quickly while creating less static than electric units, saving you time and money and reducing wear and tear on your wardrobe.
10. Propane cooking ranges offer precision temperature control – a key reasons why nearly 95 percent of professional chefs choose to cook with gas. Propane stoves also cost less to operate than their electric counterparts.

No matter how you look at it, propane is a premium performance fuel for your home or business. Considering a switch? We can help! Contact Bottini Fuel today to learn more about propane conversions or propane delivery in the Hudson Valley!