When it comes to gas, there are two options to choose from: natural gas and propane. As could be expected, most people do not fully understand the differences between the two. Natural gas is found in the earth and consists mainly of methane, although it has a small portion of propane. In a bid to establish the differences between propane and natural gas, this article takes an in-depth look at the two.
Origin
As aforementioned, natural gas originates from the earth. It is created when animal and plant matter decomposes over time with the aid of high-intensity pressure and heat. The process creates a non-renewable hydrocarbon gas that consists of methane, ethane, butane, pentane, and propane.
Propane, on the other hand, is a part of natural gas. It is often extracted for purposes of harnessing its better accessibility and more efficient power. If natural gas were to be sent through pipelines, many operational and condensation issues are likely to occur. For this reason, propane, ethane, and butane need to be extracted from it.
Efficiency
Propane is arguably the more efficient gas to burn compared to natural gas. This is another factor that makes it easy for transport. Just from burning a cubic foot of propane, you get 2,516 BTU's. One cubic meter of natural gas only produces about 1,030BTU's.
Storage
Because natural gas is exceptionally light, compressing it is so hard. Consequently, storing it in portable containers is no easy feat. A single canister can't hold enough natural gas. Perhaps this is the main issue with this type of gas. For this reason, you can only access natural gas if you have a connection to the nearest gas network. This requires digging up and installing pipelines, so evidently, you'll incur extra costs.
The same doesn't apply for propane, as pressurizing it into a liquid is quite easy. This means that transporting and storing it is made easier too.
Uses
Natural gas has a wide range of applications. It is primarily used as a source of heat. Alternatively, you can use it for power generation, transportation in vehicles, and manufacturing steel and fabrics. Natural gas can also be used as fertilizer and animal feed.
Propane is perfect in situations where you need fuel but have no access to electricity or natural gas. You can use it in portable stoves and barbecues. While there are several other gas alternatives, propane is preferred because of the transition to gas as it is released.
Natural gas and propane are used in homes worldwide. It is therefore essential to know the differences between the two to make an informed decision. This guide will be there for you when it is finally time to make a choice.
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