Great Valley
Propane - a Haly Company
Propane, the most common
liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas), is one of the nation's most versatile
sources of energy. This remarkable fuel serves approximately 60 million
people in the United States in many different environments-homes,
industry, farming and more.
More than 14 million families use propane to fuel their furnaces, water
heaters, air conditioners, outdoor grills, fire places, dryers and range
tops.
Many choose this clean-burning fuel for bus, taxi, delivery and other
fleets to minimize air pollution in metropolitan areas.
Propane is used on more than 660,000 farms for irrigation pumps, grain
dryers, standby generators and other farm equipment. It is an essential
fuel for crop drying, flame cultivation, fruit ripening, space and water
heating and food refrigeration.
Propane is easy to
transport and can be used in areas beyond the natural gas mains. Because
it is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas, it is economical
to store and transport as a liquid.
Propane - A Safe
Fuel
The propane industry has
developed numerous methods to make the transport and use of propane
safe:
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Propane
equipment and appliances are manufactured to rigorous safety
standards.
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Propane has a
narrow range of flammability when compared with other petroleum
products. In order to ignite, the propane/air mix must contain
from 2.2 to 9.6 percent propane vapor. If the mixture contains
less than 2.2 percent gas, it is too lean to burn. If it
contains more than 9.6 percent, it is too rich to burn.
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Propane won't
ignite when combined with air unless the source of ignition
reaches at least 940 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, gasoline
will ignite when the source of ignition reaches only 430 to 500
degrees Fahrenheit.
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If liquid
propane leaks, it doesn't puddle but instead vaporizes and
dissipates into the air.
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Because it is
released from a pressured container as a vapor, propane can't be
ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels.
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Because propane
is virtually odorless and colorless in its natural state, a
commercial odorant is added so propane can be detected if it
leaks from its container.
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Please visit
PropaneSafety.com for important information on preventing
and responding to propane emergencies.
Propane -
Environmentally Friendly Fuel
Propane is an approved,
clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as well as the National
Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane is one of the lightest,
simplest hydrocarbons in existence, and, as a result, is one of the
cleanest burning of all fossil fuels. New propane-fueled vehicles
can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, and
one model even meets the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)
standards. Propane gas is not harmful to soil and water and the
placement of propane tanks either above or below ground is not regulated
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to
the EPA, much of the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, which produces
acid rain, is attributable to coal-fired, electricity-generating
facilities. In contrast, neither the process by which propane is
produced nor the combustion of propane gas produces significant acid
rain contaminants.
Propane - A Good
Value
Propane costs in fleets
typically range from 5 percent to 30 percent less than those of
gasoline. Many states offer fuel tax incentives to encourage the
use of clean fuels, thus further reducing operating costs. See how
your current energy source compares to safe, affordable propane by
talking to a Haly home energy expert today.
