When it comes to powering marine appliances and systems, choosing the right fuel is essential. Propane and butane are two common liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) often used for marine applications. While both fuels have their advantages, propane is often the preferred choice for marine LPG installations. In this article, we will explore the difference between propane and butane and discuss why propane is better suited for marine use.
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Propane and Butane: The Basics
Propane and butane are both hydrocarbon gases derived from natural gas processing and crude oil refining. They can be compressed into a liquid state for easy storage and transportation. These relatively clean-burning gases provide an efficient and convenient energy source for various marine appliances, such as cookers, ovens, boilers, water heaters, and refrigerators.
Propane:
Propane has several characteristics that make it well-suited for marine use:
- Lower boiling point: Propane has a lower boiling point compared to butane, which means it vaporizes more easily even in colder temperatures. This is crucial for marine applications where the fuel needs to vaporize efficiently to enable proper combustion.
- Better cold-weather performance: Propane performs exceptionally well in colder climates, making it a reliable fuel choice for boats that are in use in cold weather conditions. It remains in a gaseous state at temperatures as low as -44°F (-42°C), ensuring that your appliances will continue to function optimally.
- Higher energy content: Propane has a higher energy content per gallon compared to butane. This means that it provides more heat and power for your marine appliances, allowing you to cook, heat water, and run other on board systems more efficiently.
Butane:
Butane is generally no longer considered a suitable choice for marine LPG installations due to certain limitations:
- Higher boiling point: Butane has a higher boiling point than propane, which means it requires higher temperatures to vaporize. In colder temperatures, butane may struggle to convert from its liquid to gaseous state, making it less reliable for marine use. Appliances supplied with Butane will most likely be dangerously under gassed in cold weather conditions and could fail to function during winter months.
- Lower energy content: Butane has a lower energy content per gallon compared to propane. This means that it provides less heat and power to your boat’s appliances
- Equipment Compatibility with Current Safety Standards: Since 2010, the gas safety standard for boats requires LPG cylinder regulators to incorporate an Over Pressure Shut Off (OPSO) device. There are currently no Butane compatible cylinder regulators with OPSO on the market. Since cylinder regulators should be replaced every 10 years, any Butane installations found on boats today are either using out of date regulators or are not compliant with the safety standard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both propane and butane are viable options for certain LPG applications, propane is generally considered more suitable for marine LPG installations. Its lower boiling point, better cold-weather performance, and higher energy content make it a reliable and efficient fuel choice for powering appliances and systems on board. When equipping your boat with an LPG system, opting for propane will likely provide you with optimal performance and reliability in various marine environments.
Remember, safety always comes first when working with any type of fuel. Ensure that your marine LPG equipment and pipework are installed by a GasSafe registered professional and always follow proper safety guidelines to enjoy a worry free boating experience.
For quotes and bookings contact us on 07846 274 926 or email [email protected]