What is propane?
Propane, also called “LP” or Liquid Propane, or “LPG,” Liquid Petroleum Gas, is a liquefied petroleum gas. Most commonly separated from natural gas, propane is then compressed and stored as a liquid inside a tank.
LPG is prepared by refining petroleum or “wet” natural gas, and is almost entirely derived from fossil fuel sources. It is manufactured during the refining of petroleum (crude oil), or extracted from petroleum or natural gas streams as they emerge from the ground. Dr. Walter Snelling first produced it in 1910, and the first commercial products appeared in 1912.
LPG is not just one gas, but a mixture of hydrocarbon gases; specifically, 48% propane 50% butane and 2% pentane. Propane itself is colorless, odorless, and nontoxic…. but of course very flammable! The odor you smell is actually a chemical called ethyl mercaptan, which is added to liquid propane so if the tank leaks you can tell. Boy do you know it when you smell it! It smells like rotten eggs, but that’s the idea.
LPG currently provides about 3% of all energy consumed. It burns relatively cleanly with no soot and very few sulfur emissions. As it is a gas, it does not pose ground or water pollution hazards, but it can cause air pollution.
A very portable fuel, propane is easy and safe to store. It is used for all sorts of purposes like heating, cooking, water heating, generator fuel, and as a power source for LP refrigerators.
Propane is put under pressure when it’s stored in a tank, so it is turned into a liquid. As its boiling point is way below room temperature, LPG will evaporate quickly at normal temperatures and pressures. When you open the valve on a propane tank to use the grill, that liquid propane is actually boiling back into propane gas, which is then sent into the grill through the hose/regulator. When liquid propane boils into a gas, it drops down to about -43.6 F, which is why propane tanks feel cold to the touch, and it’s also why you see condensation on hot, humid summer days.
How many gallons of propane in a 20 pound tank?
Propane weighs 4.125 lbs per gallon. A 20-pound propane tank is the most common size tank; you often use this size for barbecue grills, turkey fryers, and small space heaters. A 20 lb propane tank holds 4.5 gallons of propane, and when full it weighs 36 pounds.
How many gallons of propane in a 30 pound tank?
A 30-pound propane tank is a larger size used for RVs and camper trailers to supply gas for the refrigerator, furnace, water heater, and stove burners. Your 30 lb tank holds 7 gallons of propane (hence 30 pounds), and when full, with the tank it weighs 54 lbs.
Does propane go bad over time?
No, propane does not go bad over time. Since propane is stored in a tank, there is nothing that comes in contact with the propane which could cause it to go bad. The only exception is the propane tank itself, which could go bad because over time an old tank may rust through. So keep your tank in good shape, and it (and your propane) will last a good long time.
Why isn’t my tank totally full?
When your tank is filled it is only filled to roughly 80 percent capacity. Changes in temperature can change the pressure inside the tank: if you were to fill your tank to 100 percent on a cool, cloudy day, and then leave it in the sun the next day, the increase in temperature would cause in increase in pressure within the tank that could cause it to fail!
LP gas is easy and safe to store, which makes it a very portable fuel. Keep in mind that a propane tank is never really empty. When the tank is filled, most of the propane is under enough pressure that it is in liquid form. But at safe pressures, not all of the propane is liquefied — a small amount is in gas form, filling up the rest of the space in the tank. As you use more propane the pressure decreases, leaving less propane in liquefied form and more propane gas filling up the remaining space.
Do you have propane at Glacier Valley Campground?
We do have a propane tank exchange program, which is one of our amenities. Check with us in the office if you want to exchange your tank. The cost is $22.00 for a 20 gal tank, $27.00 for a 30 gal tank.
Where can I get my propane tanks filled?
If you want to keep the same tank and just refill it rather than exchanging, we recommend taking them to Corey Oil. They are located at 109 Richland St, Friesland, WI 53935, (920) 348-5143, which is less than fifteen minutes from Glacier Valley. Click here for the Google route map!