What exactly is LP?

[immolate5]

Sent: 12/24/2005 1:06 PM

Hi, this is my first post, I really like it here; anyways I have a '72 Brave and it says it uses LP, is that another way of saying Propane? Can I use propane? If it's diffrent than propane, where can I get LP?

[Oz]

Sent: 12/24/2005 3:57 PM

LP is the abbrevition for Liquid Propane, the very same stuff you use in your home gas grill and it's what you use to run your "LP" accessories: stove, fridge, water heater (unless it's electric). 

   ~PhÃ¥rÃ¥oh ~

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Sent: 12/25/2005 3:15 AM

Don't feel bad, Immolate!  I was confused about what LP meant too when I bought the Ark.  I knew what propane was, but didn't know it was liquid in the tanks, and thus didn't know what LP meant.

Kev

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 12/27/2005 8:28 PM

And to to think I thought it meant "Low Price"... well maybe it used to....!

If you ask for"liquid propane" most people will just look at you funny, but they know what you mean if you say "I need propane" or "I need some LP"

Another caution, do not confuse "LP" with "CNG" there's a whole lotta difference between Compressed Natural Gas and Propane! Alhtough you can convert over and use CNG, especially if you run your winnie's engine on CNG, it might  be a benefit!

I came upon an article today, that shed a little more light on "LP" "LPG" or Propane.
Propane is refined from Natural Gas, and is somewhat safer to use. Neither gas is superior to the other in availability or Burning, except for the ability to transport propane easily in liquid form (LP).

Here is the excerpt from the article:

"Propane is extracted from natural gas, and is one of the so-called LP gases. 'LP' is an acronym for "liquefied petroleum". Many years ago, it was found that propane could be turned into a liquid, or "liquefied", under fairly low pressure. This quality allows shipping and storage of large volumes of propane gas in relatively small containers. Other gases can also be liquefied, but propane is by far the most common LP gas. Because of this the terms LP gas and propane are often used interchangeably."

an excerpt from, and property of  "The Natural Handyman" www.naturalhandyman.com

This and other articles clear up the Name as being "Liquified Petroleum" or "Liquified Petroleum Gas" not "Liquid Propane" even though "Liquid Propane" would be an appropriate term to use.

CNG, and Natural Gas are also reported to be cheaper, as they are less refined.  Natural Gas can accumulate in an enclosed area, displacing oxygen and causing asphyxiation (which will cause death or at least brain damage).When uncompressed, Propane is lighter than natural gas, so it will dissipate in air, and for that reason, it is safer to use.

Tom

[Cooneytoones]

Sent: 1/4/2006 8:02 PM

  Tom said it right.....LP or Propane....will disapate in the air...that is, if the air is moving..in an enclosed area propane being heavier than air will drop to floor level and hang out till air can move it.....and LP it self has no smell.... additives of suphates are added to LP for this purpose...(so you can smell it)..because true, it is somewhat safer than NG......but, Propane will blow you to the same place as NG if ignited in a place where it shouldn't be.         
     
Timmy

[rlm98253]

Sent: 1/5/2006 11:50 AM

The statement  Propane is lighter than natural gas, so it will dissipate in air, and for that reason, it is safer to use. is somewhat misleading.

Propane is heavier than air and will accumulate in the lowest spot of containment. It dissipates slowly in the atmosphere and poses a potential for asphyxiation and an explosion hazard until it dissipates.

Regards,

~rlm~

[d21 special]

I was under the belief that natural gas is safer than propane because it is lighter than air and can float away and disperse more readily. Propane on the other hand sinks to the lowest spot and can accumulate there (without a breeze) making for an explosive situation given the right conditions.