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LPG-Air, Propane-Air, SNG Systems

An LPG-Air, Propane-Air or also called SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) system, is a system that creates a gas that has nearly identical characteristics to Natural Gas, thus providing an ideal alternative to NG. Liquid LPG or Propane is converted to gas and mixed with air at a pre-set ratio. This resulting mixture is directly compatible with NG and can replace NG virtually in all applications without making any modifications or changes to the existing equipment. Such systems can also be connected directly to Natural Gas pipelines.  This makes operating the equipment easy, avoids lengthy and costly change-overs and guarantees uninterrupted energy supply. Propane has a vapor BTU content of approx.2500 BTU’s per cubic foot, whereas as NG has a BTU content of approx.1000 BTU’s per cubic foot. Since propane’s BTU content is much higher, it has to be "diluted". The vaporised LPG/propane is run through a propane / air mixer that mixes approximately 47% air and 53% of vapor propane, to create a mixture compatible with Natural Gas.

There are typically four main areas of such system usage:

  • As a primary fuel source - In areas where Natural Gas is not available or will be available in the future
  • As a Standby System - During "interruptible service" of NG from utility companies
  • As a back-up System to restore supply when NG supply fails in instances such as natural disasters, maintenance works and accidental-drilling or due to problems with the NG network and
  • For Peak Shaving

Features

  • Often combined with an LPG storage tank coming in various sizes or a series of cylinders.  
  • Can include a vapouriser if the vapourisation capacity of the tank is not adequate
  • Mixers range in size from single units of three million BTU’s per hour to in excess of five hundred million BTU’s per hour, and can also be manifolded together to produce an unlimited amount of mixed gas.
  • Automated controls. The complete process is meticulously controlled by a number of components which give safety and control to the system - over pressure shut off, open-close valve controller ensuring a smooth, safe and consistent supply.
  • It can be used in all of the equipment that natural gas is used in (without changing any burner tips) except for endothermic units with ceramic parts, thus making it the perfect alternate fuel.
     

Benefits

  • They enable utility companies to ensure supply to homes, hospitals, schools, etc. and avoid costly shutdowns
  • The usually require no external power source – such as electricity
  • In small capacities, they are easily transportable and can be moved to different locations 
  • No need for jets change in appliances e.g. in cookers, heaters, making operating equipment easy, avoiding lengthy and costly change-over times.
  • They are safe because they automatically stop the resource gas supply if any problems should occur.
  • The fuel resource, LPG or Propane is easy to obtain and readily available .
  • Produce a stable calorific value output.
  • When used for peak shaving, they offer a significantly lower capital investment, and lower maintenance costs than LNG systems.
  • They allow users to monitor the cost of two fuels. Due to gas market fluctuations, the cost-effectiveness of natural gas and LPG can interchange throughout the year. The systems may be utilized to produce some potentially large savings.
  • Ability to receive an interruptible natural gas rate from their natural gas utility company. In some places, natural gas companies often offer two basic rates, a firm and an interruptible one, the firm rate being the most expensive. An interruptible rate is the rate offered to the user with a standby system, being sometimes 20%-50% lower than the firm rate. 


 

Manufacturers (2) and Resources