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Propane is one of the world’s most common engine fuels Stations available worldwide High energy density Exceptionally safe

U.S. imports about half of its petroleum Two thirds of petroleum is used for

transportation Propane use offsets petroleum

imports

Introduction

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Lesson 1:Introduction to Propane

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Objectives Describe what propane (LPG) is and

how to identify it Explain the basic history of propane Describe how propane may help

public health and the environment Explain how propane may help

stimulate the economy Describe what energy security is and

how to use propane to attain it

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Propane is: Identified as an alternative fuel Colorless Odorless

Product of natural gas production and crude oil refining

Definition of Propane

Figure 1: Propane molecule. Source: NAFTC.

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Propane usually contains: More than 90% propane Some butane Trace gases

Easily converted and stored as a liquid under pressure

Can produce fewer emissions than conventional gasoline

Presents no immediate environmental threats

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Chemical Properties of Propane Gas at ambient temperatures; liquid

below -40°F or when under pressure

One cubic foot of liquid = 270 cubic feet of vapor

Figure 2: Propane tanks. Source: NAFTC.

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Figure 3: The specific gravity of liquid propane is less than water, and the specific gravity of propane vapor is greater than air. Source: NAFTC.

Specific Gravity Specific gravity of liquid propane =

0.504 (half that of water) Specific gravity of propane vapor =

1.50 (one and a half times as much as water)

Leaked propane vapors will sink to the floor

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Propane Color Colorless liquid or vapor Produces pale blue flame when

ignited

Propane Smell Naturally odorless Odorants are added to aid in leak

detection

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Propane Identification Colorless, odorless; best identified by

added odorants Highly volatile; burns twice as hot as

conventional gasoline

Forms of Propane Naturally occurs as a gas Liquid quickly evaporates Liquid is less flammable,

less dangerousFigure 4: Propane flame. Source:

NAFTC.

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Propane Gas Heavier than air Tanks are usually pressurized up to

around 300 psi or less

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) One gallon of liquid petroleum has

about 75% as much energy as one gallon of conventional gasoline

Liquid propane injection systems can return higher fuel efficiency than conventional gasoline ICEs

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Used as an alternative fuel for more than 60 years

Dr. Walter Snelling first discovered propane in 1910

Propane was used for cooking as early as 1912

First propane powered car introduced in 1913

Original applications were mostly farm equipment

Basic History of Propane

Figure 5: Propane gas tank. Source: NAFTC.

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Used as a fuel for indoor vehicles beginning in the 1950s

RV industry relies on propane heavily

Propane = $10 billionindustry in the U.S. alone

Figure 6: Propane warehouse equipment. Source: NAFTC.

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Did You Know?

Less than 2% of U.S. propane consumption is used as a transportation fuel.

Source: AFDC, 2011.

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U.S. consumes more than 15 billion gallons of propane annually

8.1 million households in the U.S. depend on propane

More than 270,000 vehicles in U.S.

Propane Today

Figure 7: Ford E250 Roush CleanTech propane conversion. Source: AFDC.

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Direct from the OEM, purpose-built vehicles utilize propane

Conversion vehicles have been converted from gasoline to utilize propane as a fuel source

Conversion kits are widely available for light-duty vehicles

Propane may be used in conjunction with gasoline for bi-fuel applications

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Comparison of LPG to Gasoline Propane is naturally gaseous Fuel economy is calculated in

gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) Propane = high octane fuel

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Figure 8: Propane facts and figures. Source: NAFTC.

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Energy Content Energy content is measured in British

thermal units (Btu) Propane = 47% more energy by mass

when compared to gasoline

Octane Rating Indicates how well the fuel combusts,

resistance to auto ignition Conventional gasoline octane rating

= 87, 89, 93 Propane octane rating = around 105

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Auto-Ignition Temperature Propane’s auto-ignition temperature

= 855°F (457°C) Auto ignition requires between 2.15%

and 9.6% propane in the air

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Can produce fewer emissions than conventional vehicles

High energy output High octane = more complete

combustion Propane generally costs about the

same as gasoline and diesel

Why Consider Propane?

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Figure 9: LPG compared to conventional gasoline. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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Propane = domestic resource 90% of propane used in the

U.S. is produced domestically Promotes energy security Established infrastructure Longer vehicle service life

Propane Benefits

Figure 10: Propane production. Source: EERE.

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Combustion can produce fewer harmful emissions like: Particulate matter Carbon monoxide (CO)

Fewer emissions = less smog formation = less respiration problems

Health Benefits

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Propane vehicles can produce fewer harmful emissions

Spills rarely occur If spilled, propane rapidly

biodegrades in soil, water, air

Not considered a greenhouse gas (GHG)

Environmental Benefits

Figure 11: Propane vehicle emissions. Source: EERE.

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Most accessible alternative fuel Generally costs less than

conventional fuels Prices fluctuate seasonally –

generally higher in the winter months (October through March)

Economic Benefits

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U.S. imports more than 50% of its oil; two thirds is used for transportation

97% of propane consumed in the U.S. is produced in North America, 90% in the U.S. alone

Propane use will help offset reliance on foreign oil supplies

Energy Security Benefits

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Upon completing this lesson, can you: Describe what propane (LPG) is and

how to identify it? Explain the basic history of propane? Describe how propane may help

public health and the environment? Explain how propane may help

stimulate the economy? Describe what energy security is and

how to use propane to attain it?

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1. Propane burns with what color flame?

2. At normal temperatures, propane is a __________, but it can be liquefied under moderate pressure.

3. True or False: Propane gas is lighter than air.

4. True or False: Propane has been used as a fuel for home heating and cooking for decades.

Test Your Knowledge

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Lesson 2:Propane Manufacturing,

Infrastructure, andSustainability

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Objectives Describe what propane is made from Explain how propane is manufactured

and produced Describe how propane is transported Explain how propane is distributed Describe the sustainability of

propane – its future and cost efficiency

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Propane = byproduct of refining oil or natural gas

About half of the propane produced in the U.S. is from natural gas production, half is from crude oil refining

Propane is captured during these processes

Fuel Sources

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Natural Gas Refining Propane, butane, ethane are

removed from raw natural gas Natural gas = mostly methane;

propane is heavier than methane Raw natural gas is chilled Propane condenses out of raw

natural gas and is collected

Manufacturing and Production

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Crude Oil Refining Propane is removed through cracking Oil is heated, lighter propane

molecules evaporate and are collected

Propane boils at -44°F (-42.2°C) One 42 gallon barrel of crude oil

produces about 1.5 gallons of LPG

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Figure 12: Propane as a percentage of refined crude oil. Source: DOE.

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Stored and transported in large pressurized tanks

56,000 miles of pipeline More than 6,000 retail locations Portable tanks enable

delivery beyond pipelines Can be transported via

rail, pipeline, barge, truck

Transportation and Distribution

Figure 13: Multiple propane storage tanks. Source: EERE.

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Figure 14: Schematic of a typical propane distribution route. Source: EIA.

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Transporters Placards and/or other markings are

required for all bulk shipments Identified by number UN 1075

Figure 15: LPG transport placard UN1075. Source: USDOT, PHMSA.

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Nearly every city and town in the U.S. has a propane fueling station/propane source

Nationwide infrastructure is already in place

Infrastructure

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Figure 16: Propane fueling station. Source: AFDC.

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Did You Know?

As of February 2012, the total number of U.S. LPG fueling stations was at 2,670. This is more than the 2,512 E85 stations.

Source: AFDC.

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LPG Fueling Stations Many items are the same/similar to

conventional fueling stations Most tanks are steel Certain materials must be used to

prevent premature wear

Figure 17: Propane Fueling Station. Source: NREL.

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LPG Fueling Station Safety Systems Fueling station systems closely

resemble conventional fueling stations

Similar safety precautions/devices are in place

National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA)

Figure 18: NFPA 704 hazard placard for propane. Source: NAFTC.

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Propane is derived from fossil fuels Propane can be utilized with minimal

modification to vehicles Propane is better for the environment

than conventional fuels Additional fueling stations must be

built Bi-fuel vehicles will assist in this

development

Propane Sustainability

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Did You Know?

Propane is the only alternative fuel with fueling stations located in every state.

Source: AFDC.

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The Future of Propane Propane is the most widely used

alternative fuel Propane prices are historically below

prices for conventional gasoline Limited worldwide supply Investigations are underway into

producing synthetic propane

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Figure 19: Rising consumption of propane. Source: PERC.

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Upon completing this lesson, can you: Describe what propane is made from? Explain how propane is manufactured

and produced? Describe how propane is transported? Explain how propane is distributed? Describe the sustainability of propane –

its future and cost efficiency?

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1. Name two processes that are sources of propane.

2. True or False: Propane is the only alternative fuel that has a fueling station in every state.

3. Propane accounts for what percentage of products refined from crude oil?

4. True or False: LPG consumption is predicted to rise over the next few years.

Test Your Knowledge

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Lesson 3:Propane Vehicles

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Objectives Explain the differences between propane

vehicles and conventional vehicles Describe the basic evolution of LPG for

vehicles and subsequent component technologies

Describe the performance of propane vehicles

Explain how to maintain propane vehicles

Describe the propane vehicles used today

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Attaining optimal compression ratio Compression ratio for most

gasoline vehicles = 10:1 Compression ratio best for propane

vehicles = 11:1 Propane sulfur content Propane vehicles contain many of

the same components as conventional vehicles

Differences Between Propane and Conventional Vehicles

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Types of Propane Vehicles Dedicated

Propane is the sole source of fuel Depending upon storage capacity,

driving range may be limited when compared to conventional gasoline vehicles

Bi-fuel Utilize propane or another fuel

(typically gasoline) independently Are equipped with separate fuel tanks

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Figure 20: Bi-fuel propane vehicle. Source: AFDC.

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Propane Conversions Gasoline vehicles converted to utilize

propane Majority of propane vehicles today

are conversions Conversions are relatively simple Conversion kits may cost from

$4,000 to $12,000

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Fuel Management System Vapor injection vs. liquid injection Fuel is stored in liquid form at low

pressure Older Vapor Systems

Utilization of throttle bodies/carburetor systems

Commonly seen in older forklift/stationary applications

Liquid fuel is vaporized before injection

Propane Vehicle Components

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Regulator Determines how much fuel to sent to

the engine May be combined with vaporizer in

one device

Vapor Injectors Multipoint vapor injectors Gaseous fuel flow properties

vs. liquid fuel Available around the turn of

the 21st century Figure 21 Propane regulator. Source: NAFTC.

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Newer Fuel Injection Systems: Liquid

Propane Injection Produced since the early 2000s –

mainly for fleet applications Density of liquid fuel Nearly identical to gasoline

multipoint injection systems Fuel is introduced into the intake in

liquid form

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Figure 22: Liquid propane fuel injection system on Chrysler beta vehicle. Source: NAFTC.

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Fuel Storage System One or more steel fuel storage tanks Tanks are 20 times more puncture

resistant than conventional gasoline tanks

Tanks include manual shutoff for removal/servicing

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Tanks may be located in the vehicle’s trunk, under a side panel, on the frame

Will increase the weight of retrofitted vehicles

Figure 23: Propane fuel tanks. Source: EERE.

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Pressure Relief Valve All propane tanks are fitted with a

pressure relief valve (NOT a pressure relief device)

Only releases a certain amount of fuel, not the entire amount in the tank

Must be vented to the outside of the vehicle

Figure 24: Pressure relief valve. Source: NAFTC.

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Solenoid Shutoff Valve Ensures that fuel does not flow when

the vehicle is not in use

Fuel Lock Stops the flow of fuel if contaminants

are present in the fuel system

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Gasoline conversions may require state emissions certification

Calibrations will need to be made by a trained professional

Several companies offer aftermarket conversion kits

Propane Vehicle Modifications and Conversions

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Comparable performance with increased fuel economy

1.3 gallons of propane = 1 gallon of gasoline

Larger fuel storage tanks may be required

Vehicles designed to utilize propane do so most efficiently

Propane Vehicle Performance

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Tanks are built to withstand extreme pressures

Tanks are designed to be filled to 80% capacity

Tank explosion is highly unlikely Propane tank = 20 times more

puncture resistant than a conventional gasoline tank

Propane Vehicle Safety

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Regular maintenance is required as with conventional vehicles

Bi-fuel vehicles have two fuel systems to service

Properties of LPG may help extend oil life

Propane Vehicle Maintenance

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Most propane vehicles are conversions

Propane vehicles typically have lower maintenance costs

Cold start problems may be an issue

Heavy-duty vehicles available Currently used worldwide

Propane Vehicles in Use Today

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Figure 25: Countries ranking highest in LPG-fueled vehicles. Source: EERE.

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Upon completing this lesson, can you: Explain the differences between propane

vehicles and conventional vehicles? Describe the basic evolution of LPG for

vehicles and subsequent component technologies?

Describe the performance of propane vehicles?

Explain how to maintain propane vehicles? Describe the propane vehicles used today?

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1. List three types of propane fuel delivery systems that have been used over LPG’s history

2. Propane tanks are normally filled to what percentage of total tank volume?

3. True or False: Propane fuel delivery systems have evolved much like gasoline fuel delivery systems for conventional ICEs.

4. True or False: The U.S. currently leads countries in the use of the most LPG fueled vehicles.

Test Your Knowledge