Understanding the conversion between different units of measurement is essential when working with different types of fuels. Propane and natural gas are two commonly used energy sources, each with its own unit of measurement. The purpose of this article is to provide a clear understanding of the conversion between cubic feet (ft³) and gallons (gal) when comparing propane and natural gas to help readers make informed decisions and effectively manage their fuel usage.
About Propane
Propane is typically measured and sold in gallons (gal) in the United States. A gallon of propane contains approximately 36.38 cubic feet (ft³) of gas when stored at standard temperature and pressure (STP). This conversion factor remains constant, allowing for easy calculations when estimating propane usage or comparing it to other energy sources.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is commonly measured and sold in cubic feet (ft³) or therms. The amount of natural gas contained in a gallon varies depending on the composition of the gas and can vary from region to region. However, as a general estimate, one gallon of natural gas is roughly equivalent to 0.0098 to 0.0126 cubic feet (ft³) of gas. It’s important to note that the energy content of natural gas can also vary, so accurate measurements may require specific data for the particular gas composition.
Conversion Example
To illustrate the conversion between propane and natural gas, consider the following example:
If you have a propane-powered appliance and want to compare its consumption to natural gas, you can use the conversion factors mentioned above. Let’s say your appliance uses 1 gallon of propane per hour.
To estimate how many cubic feet of natural gas would provide a similar energy output, you would multiply the gallon usage by the conversion factor. Using the average conversion factor of 36.38 cubic feet (ft³) per gallon for propane and assuming the lower conversion estimate of 0.0098 cubic feet (ft³) per gallon for natural gas, the calculation would be as follows
1 gallon of propane * 36.38 ft³/gal = 36.38 cubic feet (ft³) of propane
36.38 cubic feet (ft³) of propane / 0.0098 ft³/gal = approximately 3,712 cubic feet (ft³) of natural gas.
Conclusion
Understanding the conversion between cubic feet (ft³) and gallons (gal) is critical when comparing propane and natural gas. While a gallon of propane contains approximately 36.38 cubic feet (ft³) of gas, the volume of natural gas in a gallon can vary from 0.0098 to 0.0126 cubic feet (ft³). By using these conversion factors, individuals can make informed decisions about fuel use, estimate consumption, and effectively manage their energy needs.
FAQ
How many cubic feet of propane are in a gallon of natural gas?
A gallon of natural gas is roughly equivalent to 0.0098 to 0.0126 cubic feet (ft³) of gas.
How do you convert cubic feet of propane to natural gas?
1 gallon propane = 35.97 cubic feet propane.
of pressure per square inch (psi) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit:
- 1 cubic foot natural gas = 0.012 gallons natural g
- 100 cubic feet natural gas = 1.2 gallons natural g
- 1 gallon natural gas = 82.62 cubic feet natural g
- 100 gallons natural gas = 8262 cubic feet natural g
What is Propane?
Propane – is a chemical compound that belongs to the family of aliphatic hydrocarbons or alkanes. At room temperature it is a colorless, odorless gas. It is normally obtained from natural gas or from the gases produced in the cracking processes used by petrochemical industries.
Uses of propane
Among the areas in which this gas can be used are domestic, industrial and automotive applications.
Propane is important in places where access to natural gas is not possible. Its use in heating is the most common application. It is also used for heating water for both sanitary and non-potable use. And finally, we can also find an application of propane gas in kitchens to heat ovens and stoves.
In industry, propane is used for heating, cooking and hot water, but in industrial quantities, which is why bulk tanks are usually installed instead of cylinders. Its use also stands out for more specific areas, depending on the type of industry, such as ceramic furnaces, controlled atmospheres in metallurgy, in laundries and sanitary hot water or in the petrochemical industry, where it is used to calibrate some processes of analysis and control of chemical products.
Applications of propane as a fuel in automobiles
Propane gas is used in the automotive industry as a fuel, although it is used together with butane gas, another liquefied petroleum gas. It is known by its acronym LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and is stored in liquid form at low pressures.
One of its advantages is that it is cheaper than fossil fuels, and it also reduces noise and environmental pollution considerably. For all these reasons, the mixture of butane and propane, known as LPG, seems to be gaining importance in the coming years as an alternative to petroleum derivatives.
How many cubic feet are in a 20 lb propane tank?
1 gallon of Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) converts to 36.39 cubic feet of Propane Gas , there are 4.6 gallons of Propane in a 20lb bottle. 167.4 cubic feet of vaporized propane in a 20lb bottle.
What is a cubic foot of natural gas?
A cubic foot of natural gas is the amount of natural gas that can be contained in a cube one foot on a side, at a certain standard temperature and pressure. But gas is not actually produced at a “standard” temperature and pressure.
How much propane is equivalent to natural gas?
BTU comparison
One cubic foot of propane = 2,516 BTUs compared to one cubic foot of natural gas = 1,030 BTUs. Propane contains more than twice the energy of natural gas. In one hour, a 100,000 BTU natural gas furnace burns around 97 cubic feet while a propane furnace burns only 40 cubic feet in an hour.
How much natural gas is equal to propane?
One million BTUs of natural gas is roughly 11.20 gallons of propane. Which means for the same amount of fuel, you’ll pay $6.23 for natural gas and $26.99 for propane. The more efficient the fuel is, the less you’ll use, which plays a role in overall cost.
How many pounds are in a cubic foot of natural gas?
Weight Of Natural Gas
Natural gas is often measured by its weight, and is typically quoted in terms of thousand cubic feet (MCF), or million British thermal units (MMBtu). The weight of natural gas varies depending on its composition, but is typically between 0.6 and 0.7 pounds per cubic foot.
How many gallons are in a 100 lb propane tank?
A 100 lb. tank holds 23.6 gallons and weighs 170 lbs. when full.
How much gas is 1000 cubic feet?
One thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas equals 1.037 MMBtu, or 10.37 therms.
Is it cheaper to heat with electricity or propane?
It’s a fact! Propane heat is more economical and more efficient than electric heat. Virtually anything in your house, restaurant or building that can run on electricity can run on propane. However, the cost of a propane fueled home is actually less than the cost of a home with electric heat.
How many gallons are in a 20 lb propane tank?
20 pound propane tanks are often referred to as grill cylinders and hold 4.6 gallons of propane when full.
How many cubic feet of propane are in a pound?
8.66 cubic feet
From the article text: One gallon of LP-gas (propane or C3H8) weighs about 4.20 lbs (at 60 degF), contains about 8.66 cubic feet of gas vapor per pound (at 60 deg.
Which is cheaper to heat with propane or natural gas?
Propane is more expensive than natural gas but natural gas burns much faster than propane. In fact, it burns at a rate of two to one. This means that to heat two spaces of the same size, you’ll use twice as much natural gas than propane.
What’s more expensive propane or natural gas?
Each cubic foot of natural gas produces approximately 1,012 BTUs of heat compared to the 2,520 BTUs produced by a cubic foot of propane. This means that in most cases, even when natural gas is less expensive than propane, propane will still end up being cheaper overall.
What burns hotter propane or natural gas?
Propane also burns hotter than natural gas (2500 BTU’s vs 1000 BTUs), which some grilling purists believe is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. Propane is considered to be environmentally-friendly because there’s no lead, has low GHG emissions and produces water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Is it worth switching from propane to natural gas?
The costs of converting from propane to natural gas can really add up. With the price of natural gas at least one-third less than the price of propane, over time the switch may be worth the investment. Most natural gas companies have calculators on their websites to help customers estimate costs and savings.
Are natural gas and propane interchangeable?
For the home, you will find appliances that work on either natural gas or propane. The two are not interchangeable; each fuel source requires special gas utilization fittings. If you want to switch between the two, you’ll need a conversion kit for the appliances’ manufacturer for the installation process.
How many pounds are in a cubic foot of natural gas?
Weight Of Natural Gas
Natural gas is often measured by its weight, and is typically quoted in terms of thousand cubic feet (MCF), or million British thermal units (MMBtu). The weight of natural gas varies depending on its composition, but is typically between 0.6 and 0.7 pounds per cubic foot.
Can propane appliances run on natural gas?
Most, but not all, appliances can be converted from natural gas to propane. The biggest sticking point is that natural gas is kept at a lower pressure, and some appliances can’t handle the higher pressure of propane even with adjustments.
Which is hotter propane or natural gas?
Propane also burns hotter than natural gas (2500 BTU’s vs 1000 BTUs), which some grilling purists believe is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. Propane is considered to be environmentally-friendly because there’s no lead, has low GHG emissions and produces water vapor and carbon dioxide.
What happens if you run a propane furnace on natural gas?
You are running the risk of ruining your furnace when you run a natural gas furnace on propane without using a conversion kit. In addition, if you do not modify your furnace or install a blower, it can cause an explosion because of the incorrect ratio of air and pressure.