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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
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