Uses of LPG and CNG Gas

LPG – Liquefied petroleum gas or liquid petroleum gas, also denoted as just
propane or butane, are both flammable hydrocarbon gases used as fuel for
heating, cooking and vehicular fuel.
CNG – compressed natural gas storage cylinders have a tare weight
approximately 3x heavier than comparable capacity LPG cylinders. LPG can
be compressed into a liquid, increasing its energy density. The biggest
difference between CNG and LPG cars is the fuel itself. CNG is methane and
LPG is propane and/or butane.
CNG gas is compressed natural gas storage – methane. LPG is liquefied
petroleum gas – propane.
CNG full form is an acronym abbreviation for Compressed Natural Gas. CNG fuel means,
compressed natural gas, which is primarily methane.

Difference Between CNG vs LPG – Properties

Properties CNG – Methane LPG – Propane

Chemical Formula CH4 C3H8

Energy Content 9MJ/L 25MJ/L

Storage Pressure 20 – 25 MPa 2 MPa

Air:Gas Combustion Ratio 10:1 25:1

Operating Pressure 1.1 kPa 2.75 kPa

Density (vs Air) .5537:1 1.5219:1

Cylinder Weight 1 ≈3x

State Gas Liquid or Gas

LPG has a higher energy content than CNG gas, with 25MJ/L versus 9MJ/L, respectively.
• Storage pressure of LPG is less than 2 MPa whilst CNG compressed natural gas storage is
20 – 25 MPa.
• For proper combustion, LPG requires an air to gas ratio of approximately 25:1 whilst the
air to gas ratio for natural gas is a 10:1 ratio.
• LPG and natural gas appliances operate at different pressures – 2.75 kPa vs 1.1 kPa,
correspondingly.
• LPG (propane) is denser than air at a relative density of 1.5219:1 vs natural gas (methane)
at 0.5537:1, which is lighter than air.
• CNG – compressed natural gas storage cylinders have a tare weight approximately 3x
heavier than comparable capacity LPG cylinders.
• LPG can be compressed into a liquid, increasing its energy density.

Natural Gas Formula – Chemical Formula for Methane –

Chemical Formula of CNG – Chemical Formula of CNG
is CH4
The chemical formula of CNG – CH4 – is also the chemical formula for Natural Gas and is
also the chemical formula for Methane. Methane molecule contains one carbon and 4
hydrogen atoms and is the simplest of the flammable hydrocarbons. This also means that
CNG has the smallest carbon footprint of any hydrocarbon.
The chemical composition of CNG – chemical formula of CNG is CH4 – is actually the
chemical formula for methane, which is the primary constituent of refined compressed
natural gas (CNG). To be accurate, this natural gas formula is actually the chemical formula
for methane, which is the primary constituent of refined natural gas and CNG. Raw natural
gas, straight out of the ground, also contains natural gas liquids and various impurities.

Chemical Composition of CNG Gas (Compressed Natural Gas) vs LPG

LPG (propane) and natural gas (methane) have different chemical compositions or formulas.
The chemical composition of LPG is C3H8, which is also the chemical formula of LPG
(propane).

Key Similarities between LPG vs CNG Gas

• Both LPG and CNG gas can be used in traditional home and business applications, as well
as for vehicle fuel.
• Both are domestically produced energy sources, reducing reliance on imported oil.
• LPG and CNG both have greatly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, compared to petrol
and diesel.
• Both CNG and LPG are stored in cylinders or tanks, making them transportable fuels.
CNG Storage vs LPG Storage
Compressed natural gas storage is the storage of gaseous methane at the high pressure of 20 –
25 MPa (200 bar to 250 bar) in special CNG gas cylinders. Compressed natural gas (CNG)
storage can also be in larger vessels or vehicle fuel tanks. Transportation is typically by truck.
Compressed natural gas storage – CNG storage – is mostly methane stored under very high
pressure of 20 – 25 MPa vs LPG 2 MPa propane. CNG remains gaseous under pressure vs
LPG that liquefies. Compressed natural gas storage can be used for CNG vehicles or
domestic applications.

Uses of LPG and CNG Gas

The uses of LPG and CNG gas are similar with both used as fuel in vehicles, to power
appliances and fuel industrial processes. They both can be used in place of petrol (gasoline)
or diesel fuel in cars, trucks and stationary power generation.
Other uses of LPG – liquefied petroleum gas – and CNG – compressed natural gas (methane)
– include cooking, heating and hot water. CNG can also be used in place of piped natural
gas, as can LNG.
LPG & CNG can also be used as substitutes for each other, with adjustments to the vehicle or
appliance.

Difference Between CNG and LPG Cars

The difference between CNG and LPG cars is storage pressure, with CNG at 10 times the
pressure with 20-25 MPa vs 2 MPa for LPG. LPG has a higher energy content so a much
greater cruising range with the same size tank. There are many more LPG dealers, too.
The biggest difference between CNG and LPG cars is the fuel itself. CNG (Compressed
Natural Gas) is methane (CH4) and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is propane (C3H8) and/or
butane. One of the other key differences between CNG and LPG cars relates to energy
density. CNG – compressed natural gas storage has a lower energy density than LPG.
This means you typically lose more boot space with CNG because you need a larger tank
capacity to offset the difference in compressed natural gas storage .
Even with this, you may still have a reduced cruising range.
Another difference between CNG and LPG cars is the tank pressure. LPG pressure is less
than 2 MPa whilst CNG – compressed natural gas storage is 20 to 25 MPa.
This means high pressure CNG tanks are heavier and more expensive than LPG tanks.
State-of-the-art direct liquid injection is only available in LPG, providing a potential
performance advantage over CNG.
You should also check local fuel availability before choosing, as it may vary between the two
fuels.
Petrol and diesel vehicle owners contemplating conversion to CNG and LPG should also be
aware of the advantages.
Both LPG and CNG are much cleaner fuels than petrol or diesel.
They both have fuel systems that are sealed. This avoids any leakage or evaporative losses.
Both CNG and LPG also have lower maintenance costs, including greatly reduced fouling of
the spark plugs.

Similar Sources
LPG and CNG gas both come from drilling oil wells and are both hydrocarbon fuels. LPG
(propane) and CNG (methane) are typically found together.
They must be separated before they can be used commercially.
LPG is also produced during petroleum refining and is also referred to as natural gas liquids –
NGL.
LPG processing involves the separation and collection of the gas from its petroleum base.

Major Differences
The big difference is in volumetric energy density. LPG has almost 3x the energy density
with 25MJ/L for LPG versus only 9MJ/L for CNG – compressed natural gas storage.
Another major difference is that compressed natural gas storage pressures can be more than
10x that of LPG. LPG pressure is less than 2 MPa whilst CNG – compressed natural gas
storage is 20 – 25 MPa.
In other words, for comparable capacity cylinders, the LPG cylinders will last more than
twice as long.
This much higher compressed natural gas storage pressure requires a much heavier and more
expensive cylinder or tank.
This also means it is impractical to make them large enough to offset the energy density
deficit, due to the size and weight required.