Naija LPG Blog: Repairs, Maintenance, Depot Prices and Gas Price Calculator LPG Mixture: Which Cooking Gas Is Best In Nigeria - Propane Or Butane?

LPG Mixture: Which Cooking Gas Is Best In Nigeria - Propane Or Butane?

Commercial LPG is supplied in two forms - propane and butane, and filling a cylinder bottle with the wrong type of LPG can lead to serious appliance malfunction and can cause safety devices to fail. So, what difference are between propane and butane gas for cooking in Nigeria? Choose the wrong one, and your LPG may not work when you need it most.

Which is best between - 100% propane or butane or the mixture of both propane & butane at different proportions?

Propane and butane are types of LPG gas that many people know about. But what does this mean, and how are they similar or different? LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas, which includes different gases. The most common ones are butane and propane. People sometimes mix them up because they are alike in some ways and used in homes and industries for cooking, heating, hot water, and more.

Propane is a gas that becomes liquid under pressure. It's made from natural gas and oil refining. It's used widely for cooking, heating homes, and in restaurants. 

Butane is also a gas from oil and natural gas processing. It's used more often as a fuel, in sprays, and as a refrigerant.


Knowing The Difference Between Propane And Butane In Nigeria 

This basically can depends on each countries and climate condition. In the UK, propane gas is widely distributed, because propane last as long in cold whether than butane. The main difference between the two LPG's is the ability to evaporate at lower temperature, which means that in colder climates, butane evaporate rate can slow to the point where the appliance will not work efficiently or fail to work altogether. Luckily in Nigeria, what we have available is the mixture of both propane and butane. So, no need for worries here. Butane is said to burn slowly than propane. Propane is known to burn more quickly than Butane. Propane also burn blue flames. You can recognize 100% propane gas by the blue flames.

Propane and butane are commonly used in both homes and industries today. They power a variety of appliances like car engines, stoves, ovens, and heaters. People often think they are the same because they are similar gases used for heating and fuel. However, we have highlights specific similarities and differences between them. These differences can affect their benefits or drawbacks depending on how they are used.


Applications Of Propane And Butane In Nigeria 

Understanding the similarities between propane and butane is important before looking at how they differ. Petroleum is used to get both gases, either as oil or natural gas. Many people in Africa, especially in Nigeria, know about LPG because they use it for cooking at home, powering vehicles, or even some appliances like iron or heaters. However, not everyone knows all the ways LPG, propane, and butane can be used, so it's important to understand their differences and advantages. Both gases produce similar results when burned, creating carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, and soot. But their molecular structures make them different. Butane has four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms, making it a four-carbon alkane. Propane, on the other hand, has three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms, making it a three-carbon alkane. Propane is more commonly used and is used to heat homes. Propane is also great for engines that use spark ignition because of its high octane rating. If propane spills, it doesn't harm the land, surface water, or groundwater.

Butane is a flammable gas made of hydrocarbons. It can turn into liquid easily and doesn't have any color or smell. People often use butane for lighters and camping stoves. It's also used in aerosol sprays, as a fuel for heating, in refrigerators, and in making various products. Butane is part of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Since 1987, hydrocarbons have replaced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the most common propellant in aerosol sprays. Many aerosol products today contain butane.


What is the mixture of Propane and Butane For LPG in Nigeria?

LPG (cooking gas) is gotten during the refining of petroleum (crude oil), or extracted from natural gas streams as they emerge from the ground. The approved Nigerian LPG (cooking gas) for domestic consumption is 100% Butane or a mixture of 85% butane and 15% propane, provided propane is not more than 15%.

Choice of LPG also depends on the in country of use. You need to know your supplier and what LPG they offer. Propane is often sold in the UK in "RED" tanks, and "BLUE" for butane. But in Nigeria, we use alternative colours. 

It's important to use the right LPG, especially in Nigeria, a large country where the weather can be harsh during the harmattan season. Butane works well for outdoor cooking in warm weather conditions. However, propane is better suited for use in cold temperatures or at high altitudes because it vaporizes at a lower temperature than butane.

In gas business, propane and butane are used as cooking gas, also known as LPG. Nigeria LPG Association compared the usage of propane and butane. It was found that butane is more cost-effective than both propane or CNG . 

How To Know Between Propane And Butane When They Are So Similar? 

Despite their similarities, there are key differences that can be either advantageous or not depending on how you plan to use them.

The most significant difference lies in their boiling points. Propane has a lower boiling point than butane, which means it evaporates and turns into gas even in colder temperatures. This makes propane better suited for outdoor use during cold winters, such as those experienced in UK.

Propane also exerts higher pressure than butane when kept as a liquid in a tank at the same temperature, making it more suitable for outdoor storage and use.


Why butane Propane Or Butane?

Butane is used in many things as another fuel option, even though it's not as popular as propane. It's used for stoves, lighters, and as a spray propellant. Butane is cheaper than propane. However, it's not compatible with as many devices because fewer devices can use butane tanks for fuel.

On the other hand, propane is easier to use with appliances that need fuel or heat because it works with more devices. Propane's lower boiling point and ability to be stored under higher pressure in tanks give it an advantage. This makes propane the better choice in dangerous environments. That's why campers and travelers in foreign countries known for cold weather and climate often bring propane tanks—they avoid using butane because it doesn't work well in very cold temperatures.


In summary:

- Both butane and propane can fuel LPG  devices.

- Because both come from petroleum, they are similar. They produce carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, and soot when burned.

- Butane is used less often than propane. Most stoves and appliances  are designed to use propane tanks.

- Butane is cheaper than propane, but it's not compatible with standard engines or heaters.

- Propane has a lower boiling point compared to butane. It can also be stored in high-pressure tanks, making it safer for people exploring dangerous places.

Moreover, propane can be used as fuel for cooking gas . It can even be blended with other gases like propylene, butylene, and butane to create liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is commonly used as fuel for vehicles. But in a country like Nigeria with harsh weather climate, butane is the best.

Certified Gaspreneur

We provide news, information on all LPG related services, including construction, prices and repairs. Our goal and mission is to make LPG gas available and accessible to every household in Nigeria.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post

Contact Form