How familiar are you with the ins and outs of propane? You’ll want to keep reading to catch up on your homework, as this vital industrial element isn’t going to fall out of favor any time soon. In fact, workers and analysts alike are expecting propane to increase in popularity as more businesses turn to eco-friendly solutions to save money and help the environment. Whether it’s heating your home with propane or seeking out the benefits for residential propane customers, there’s always something new to learn with the world’s most readily available and clean energy source.
What Is Propane?
Let’s start off with some of the basics. Propane exists as both a liquid and a gas, making it one of the most unique forms of industrial energy out there. At atmospheric pressure and temperatures above -44 Fahrenheit it’s non-toxic, colorless and odorless — this has caused people to add accompanying strong odors in order to identify leaks or spills. Although it is used in most industries today, that wasn’t the case a century ago.
When Was Propane Discovered?
Propane tanks and accessories are used so commonly nowadays it’s easy to take for granted it wasn’t always readily available. Propane was originally established all the way back in the early 1900’s, extracted from natural gases and assessed by scientists and engineers alike for its unique properties. By the mid 1950’s it fast became a necessary staple in many industries, ranging from transportation to construction to mundane residential necessities. Additional uses include, but are not limited to, barbecuing, grain drying and military usage.
Where Does Propane Come From?
Did you know around 90% of the United States’ propane supply is created domestically? Another 70% of the remaining supply comes from both Canada and Mexico — equal amounts of propane are created from the refining of crude oil and from natural processing. However, some plants are dedicated to the active creation of this supply. Overall, propane is a readily available and secure energy source with environmental benefits that only become more and more recognized over time.
What Is Propane Used For?
Propane is used for quite a few day-to-day tasks. It’s estimated there are more than 350,000 industrial sites relying on propane tanks and propane services for space heating, brazing, soldering, heat treating and cutting. Petrochemical industries use propane in order to manufacture plastics and propane tanks are very commonly used in residential areas for heating and cooking. Over 660,000 farmers will use propane for their farming equipment — this includes irrigation pumps, grain dryers, generators and various vehicle accessories. This is necessary for drying crops, cultivating flames and even ripening fruit.
How Is Propane Stored?
Propane needs to be properly stored and maintained in order to function at its best. When contained in an approved cylinder or tank propane will exist as both a vapor and a liquid. The vapor is released from the container as a clean-burning fuel gas — studies have found propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas, making it economical to both store and transport throughout the country. Cooking with gas or using filtered propane, the future is looking cleaner and more efficient than ever.
