LPG vs LNG: Which is the Better Industrial Fuel?

The world we live in today relies heavily on liquid fuels, but due to environmental concerns and cost efficiency, more and more industries are turning to CNG, LPG and LNG fuels. These fuels are widely used as an excellent alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize costs, and help combat global warming.
LPG and Natural gas are two different gases with different distributions, energy content, density, combustion and working pressure. LPG is derived from natural gas processing. LPG is better than Natural gas because it has a higher energy content, it is portable and available everywhere, and in many cases, it is now less expensive.

A brief on what exactly LPG is:

LPG is a by-product derived while extracting crude petroleum. LPG is colourless, odourless, highly flammable and weighs twice as much as air. It is comprised of propane mixed with butane, traces of propylene and butylene.

And so, what’s LNG?

LNG, a natural gas, is converted to liquid form through liquefaction. During this process, natural gas is cooled at low temperatures until it turns into a liquid. The volume of gas is reduced by approximately 600 times during liquefaction. By the way, the full form of LNG is liquified natural gas.

Differences between LPG and LNG:

Here are a few flip sides of LNG compared to LPG:

1. LNG has a very low boiling point compared to LPG and requires very high pressure to store at atmospheric conditions

2. Operating cryogenic LNG vessels is a huge safety risk, whereas LPG is the top-rated safe fuel

3. The energy content of LNG is 38 MJ/m3, whereas LPG is at 46 MJ/m3

4. LPG needs lesser time to reach a set temperature than LNG

5. LPG needs lesser gas flow than LNG to produce the same amount of heat

6. LNG requires Cryogenic Double walled Vessel (Inner tank: SS 304, Outer Tank: CS, Insulation: Vacuum + Perlite), whereas LPG has a wide range of storage solutions

7. LPG does not need a PESO license for cylinder installation, whereas LNG requires it

8. There is a high risk of RPT (Rapid Phase Transition) leading to spontaneous BLEVE if temp. increases > (-82 C) and insulation failure. No such risk exists for LPG

9. LNG has very high transportation charges (cryogenic): Fixed & Variable charges (INR 6500/MT for 200 RTKM). LPG has very minimum transportation charges: Fixed charges usually (INR 2000/MT-Cylinder & 600/MT-Bulk for 200 RTKM)

10. Multiple stoppages are required to curtail BOG in LNG, but for LPG, there is no such parameter in terms of losses and delays

SUPERGAS has been the leading industrial LPG gas company in the country since 1996 and offers comprehensive LPG storage installation services from designing to commissioning. SUPERGAS offers customized solutions based on space availability, application, and technology. Not only that, SUPERGAS does facilitate LPG conversion from liquid fuels because of price, carbon footprint, convenience, and ease of operation.

Are you looking to get in touch with our experts for more information? Call us on 9121177930 or send your requirement to industrialsupport@supergas.com.