Do you know how propane is made?

Like other fuels, propane has to be refined from a primary source. Only then can it be stored as liquefied petroleum gas in cylinders. Understanding the propane refining process is a great way to discover the benefits of the fuel itself. Here’s a brief look at how propane is extracted and stored.

Occurrence: Propane is made from petroleum and natural gas. For this reason, one could say that the propane production begins with the development of natural gas and petroleum in the ground. These resources are mined and drilled, then transported to a refining or processing facility, where they’re made suitable for public consumption.

Extraction: Raw natural gas is actually composed of many gases—including propane, butane, ethane, and methane. If natural gas liquids (propane, butane, and ethane) are allowed to remain in natural gas, they will cause dangerous condensation within delivery pipelines. Natural gas processing involves a series of complex steps that separates the pure natural gas from the natural gas liquids, including propane. Propane can also be extracted from petroleum during “cracking”—a process that creates shorter hydrocarbon chains from longer ones.

Storage and Delivery: After extraction, propane is usually stored in cylinders before being delivered to consumers. Though propane is a gas at normal pressure and temperature, it turns into a liquid at -42 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 177 PSI. Propane takes up much less space in liquid form, making storage and delivery much easier.

In recent years, propane has emerged as an increasingly popular choice for consumers looking for an efficient, environmentally-friendly fuel. To learn more about propane, call Budget Propane Ontario at  1 888 405.7777 . We’re dedicated to providing quality propane products and services to the residents of Alliston, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Haliburton and Muskoka.