Keeping this in mind, I have provided some information below in order to help you better understand why propane can be considered as an alternative fuel source together with natural gas.
Source of Propane
Propane is actually a by-product from two processes namely natural gas processing and refining of crude oil. Natural gas processing generally involves the removal of the various hydrocarbons like butane, propane, ethane and fluids like water vapour1.
Some propane is also produced from oil refineries as a by-product from the “cracking” of crude oil to give gasoline or heating oil. However, the fact that propane is a by-product from the above processes means that its supply cannot be adjusted easily to fulfill its increasing demand as a fuel source.
How is Propane supplied?
Propane can be supplied in tanks or steel cylinders in either gaseous form or it can be compressed under moderate pressure with/or low temperatures into a more compact liquid state to give liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Like natural gas, propane is odorless and so a similar odorant called mercaptan is added to provide a warning signal in the event of a propane leakage.
Propane is supplied commercially, especially in the United States and Canada in a purity of at least 90% with the remaining comprising of mainly up to 5% propylene and the rest comprising of isobutane, methane and etc. This grade of propane grade is called the HD-5 propane2.
Uses of Propane
Currently there is an excess of propane being produced worldwide with some of the main producers like the United States and Canada.
Propane accounts for 1% of the total energy needs and is ranked 7th in terms of importance as an energy source worldwide. In terms of usage, the United States is the largest single user of propane, with 90% of the propane produced domestically, in the world3.