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Propane Butane Mix

Reference data and engineering information about propane butane mix for combustion applications.

propanebutanemix

Overview

Engineering reference data for Propane Butane Mix in combustion engineering.

Key Formulas

Heat Release

Q=m˙HVQ = \dot{m} \cdot HV

Fuel energy release rate.

Air-Fuel Ratio

AF=mairmfuelAF = \frac{m_{air}}{m_{fuel}}

Mass of air per mass of fuel.

Excess Air

EA=O221O2×100%EA = \frac{O_2}{21 - O_2} \times 100\%

From flue gas oxygen measurement.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
QQHeat release rateW
m˙\dot{m}Mass flow ratekg/s
HVHVHeating valueJ/kg
AFAFAir-fuel ratio

Vapor Pressure Data

The following table shows the gauge pressure (psig) of propane-butane liquid mixtures at various temperatures and composition ratios.

16 rows
Vapor pressure (gauge) of propane-butane mixtures at various temperatures and compositions.
Temperature(°F)
100% Propane(psig)
70% Propane / 30% Butane(psig)
50% Propane / 50% Butane(psig)
30% Propane / 70% Butane(psig)
100% Butane(psig)
-4400000
-306.80000
-2011.54.7000
-1017.593.500
024.5157.62.30
103420.512.35.90
20422817.810.20
305336.524.515.40
40654632.421.53.1
5078564128.56.9
6093685036.511.5
7011082614517
8012896745423
90150114886630
1001771341047938
1102041581229347

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

The following table provides the absolute vapor pressure of pure butane.

9 rows
Absolute vapor pressure of pure butane at various temperatures.
Temperature(°C)
Vapor Pressure (abs)(bar)
-101.50.0013
-77.80.013
-59.10.053
-44.20.13
-16.30.53
-0.51.01
18.82.03
505.07
79.510.1

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Component Properties & Design Considerations

  • Propane (C₃H₈): More suited to colder environments due to its lower boiling point (-44°F / -42°C).
  • Butane (C₄H₁₀): Has a higher boiling point (33°F / 0.6°C), making it more volatile in warmer conditions.
  • Evaporation Requirements: Evaporation is not solely dependent on temperature; it requires heat input. Limited heat transfer causes the liquid to cool, reducing the evaporation rate.
  • System Design:
    • Large Consumers: May require external heat exchangers using hot water, electric heaters, or combustion of the LPG itself to supply the necessary evaporation heat.
    • Small Consumers: Rely on heat transfer from the surroundings. Container material is critical: composite containers offer less heat transfer than steel containers and can cause performance issues at lower ambient temperatures.

Interactive Charts

Propane butane mix - vapor diagram - imperial units - psig

Propane butane mix - vapor diagram - metric units - bar

References