LPG
LPG and distribution system
Bandula Jayampathi
Senior Plant Engineer
Laugfs Gas PLC
LPG
What is LPG ?
The name describes a group of hydro carbon gases which exist as vapor under
ambient conditions of temperature and pressure, but which can be liquefied by
the application of moderate pressure and / or refrigeration.
LPG is the abbreviation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Type of producing LPG
From the oil and or gas fields where they are removed as condensable products
from natural gas.
From traditional source of LPG’s at oil refineries, where the crude oil is
processed.
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Constituents of Natural Gas
Natural Gas Methane - CH4
Natural Gas Liquids Ethane - C2H6
LPG Propane - C3H8
Butane - C4H10
Pentane - C5H12 and heavier fractions
Water, Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen and other Hydro Carbon
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Chemical Properties of LPG
It is only these gases often referred to as C3 or C4 gases, that are easily
liquefied by moderate compression at ambient temperature.
The normal constituents of LPG are;
Propane C3 H8
Butane C4H10
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Chemical Properties of LPG
Typical Properties of commercial LPG
Commercial Commercial
Butane Propane
Relative density of liquid at 150C 0.57 to 0.58 0.50 to 0.51
Imperial gallons / ton at 150C 385 to 393 439 to 448
Liter / ton at 150C 1723 to 1760 1965 to 2019
Relative density of gas compared with air at 150C and 1013.25mbar 1.90 to 2.10 1.40 to 1.55
Volume of gas (liters) per kg of liquid at 150C and 1013,25mbar 406 to 431 537 to 543
Volume of gas (ft3) per kg of liquid at 600F and 30 In Hg 6.5 to 6.9 8.5 to 8.7
Boiling point at atmospheric pressure 0C approx. -2 -45
Latent heat of vaporization (kj/kg) at 150C 372.2 358.2
Latent heat of vaporization (Btu /lb) at 600F 160 154
Specific heat of liquid at 150C (kj/kg 0C) 2,386 2,512
Sulphur content per cent weight Negligible to 0.02 Negligible to 0.02
Limits of flammability (percentage by volume of gas in a gas – air mixture to Upper 9.0 Upper 10.0
form a combustible mixture) Lower 1.8 Lower 2.2
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Chemical Properties of LPG
Typical Properties of commercial LPG
Commercial Commercial
Butane Propane
Vapor pressure for products at their maximum specified vapor pressure (gauge)
Temp 0C bar bar
- 18 - 2.3
0 0.9 4.5
15 1.93 6.9
38 4.83 14.5
Calorific Values
Gross: (MJ/m3) dry 121.8 93.1
Net: (MJ/m3) dry 112.9 86.1
Air required for combustion (m3 to burn 1m3 of gas) 30 24
Ignition temperature (0C), (T class) 365,(T2) 470,(T1)
Gas sub division IIA
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Vapor Pressure
Vapor pressure change with the
temperature
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Boiling Point of LPG
The gas found in a commercial LPG mixture all have very low boiling points
and exist as vapor under atmospheric conditions.
Propane n- Iso - Commercial Commercial Ethylene
Butane Butane Propane Butane
Molecular 44.1 58.1 58.1 44 58 28.1
Weight
Boiling Point 0C -42.1 -0.5 -11.7 -45 -2 -103.7
at 1 Atm
Critical 96.8 152 135 95 150 9.9
Temperature 0C
Critical Pressure 41.9 37.5 36 40 35 50.7
Atm
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Specific Volume, Relative Density
In vapor phase, LPG being approximately 1.5 to 2.0 times the density of air.
Therefore it will stay close to the ground seeking to enter trenches, drains, or
other low areas.
Equal volume Equal
of LPG vapor V
V volume of
Atmospheric
Air
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Specific Volume, Relative Density
In liquid phase, LPG being approximately 0.5 times the density of water.
Therefore it will remain on the water surface.
Equal volume of Equal volume
water V
V of LPG liquid
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Limits of Flammability
A mixture of LPG and air is flammable within certain concentrations, known as
the flammable range.
Gas Lower Limit Upper Limit % Gas in Stoichiometric Mixture
Commercial Butane 1.8 8.4 3.2
Commercial Propane 2.2 9.5 4.2
Methane 5.3 14.0 9.5
Hydrogen 4.0 74 29.6
Acetylene 2.5 80 7.75
At higher pressures, or with oxygen, the flammability limits are different.
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Coefficient of Cubical Expansion of Liquid LPG
. 250 250
V
V
LPG LIQUID
LPG
VAPOUR
12500V
50
Flammable volume
LPG
Characteristics of LPG
Physical Properties of LPG
Odorisation of LPG
In its refined state, LPG is normally almost odorless. Special agents mix to
detect leaks easily, using the sense of smell,
.
LPG
LPG distribution systems
LPG
Main component of a LPG piping system
Storage vessels or cylinders.
Regulators.
Vaporizers.
Valves.
Distribution pipes and fittings
LPG
Main component of a LPG piping system
Storage vessels or cylinders
LPG
Main component of a LPG piping system
Safety distance for Storage tanks as per SLSI 1196 part 2
LPG
Main component of a LPG piping system
Regulators
There are two main type of regulators
1. First stage regulators - Installed closer to the storage vessel or
cylinders
Out put pressure - 0 to 2Bar
LPG
Main component of a LPG piping system
Regulators
2. Second stage regulators - Installed closer to the appliance
Out put pressure - 25 mbar to 100mbar
LPG
Main component of a LPG piping system
Vaporizers
2. When the natural vaporization is not sufficient for the demand,
vaporizers are used.
LPG
Design of lpg pipe lines
General Information
Pipe work installations operating at ambient temperatures between -20 0C
and 400C .
LPG pipework systems should be designed to operate at lowest practicable
pressure.
Vibration, surge pressures and valve operating torque should be
considered in the design of pipe work and supports incorporating
mechanical equipment such as pumps and valves.
LPG piping can be laid in the same trench. But not with oxygen, toxic or
corrosive fluids or fluids at a temperature significantly above ambient.
Electrical cable should not be run in the same trench as liquid phase LPG
pipework unless they are protected by an outer pipe or sleeve
LPG
Design of lpg pipe lines
Type of pipe for LPG service as per the SLSI 1196 Part 3
LPG
Design of lpg pipe lines
Protection against over – pressurization of liquid phase system
The outlets of any hydrostatic relief valves should be fitted with suitable
caps to prevent the entry of water / debris.
To reduce the risk of blockage the hydrostatic relief valve inlet connections
should not be on the underside of pipework
Where it is necessary to install hydrostatic relief valves in enclosed spaces,
sufficiently sized discharge pipework should be taken to an outside area.
Suitable signs should be fitted adjacent to the discharge pipework.
.
LPG
Installation of lpg pipe lines
The routing of above ground pipe work should be selected to minimize the
possibility of;
Trip hazards.
Inadvertent physical content.
Physical damage, e.g. by vehicles or mobile equipment.
Misuse, e. g. by children as a climbing apparatus or as a convenient ‘
hanging’ device.
Where necessary, additional protection such as bollards or barriers should be
provided.
LPG
Installation of lpg pipe lines
Pipework should not be laid under;
Foundations of a building.
The footings of a load bearing wall.
A floating raft foundation (unless as part of a specifically designed general
access for utilities, for example for mobile homes)
Pipework shall not be installed in an unventilated space.
Pipework should not be run within cavity walls. Every pipe passing through
a wall with a cavity shall be sleeved and take the shortest practicable route.
.
LPG
Installation of lpg pipe lines
Pipework entries to buildings should always above ground.
There should always be an emergency control to which there is adequate
access situated as near as reasonably practicable to the point where the pipe
enters the building..
The Emergency Control Valve (ECV) should be installed as closed as
practicable to the point where the gas enters the premises and so that;
LPG
Installation of lpg pipe lines
Pipe lay in an open trench or covered channel or bury underground
When laid in an open trench or covered pipework should be supported
above the bottom of the trench or channel.
The trench dimensions and pipe supporting arrangements should be such
as to facilitate visual inspection and maintenance e. g. wire brushing,
repairing of the pipe and supports.
Trenches and channels should not enter buildings.
Pipework buried underground should be inherently resistant to or
otherwise adequately protected against corrosion, e. g. polyethylene
piping, proprietary systems or cathodic protection.
LPG
Thank you
