THE PROPANE TECHNICAL POCKET GUIDE

The Propane Technical Pocket Guide

The Propane Technical Pocket Guide is intended to be a general reference of information on preparing for the installation of propane systems. It provides key data and answers important questions that are relevant to construction professionals planning to incorporate propane in their construction projects. This guide is not intended to conflict with federal, state, or local ordinances or pertinent industry regulations, including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 54 and 58. These should be observed at all times. The Propane Technical Pocket Guide must not be considered a replacement for proper training on the installation and start-up of propane systems. Propane system installations should always be performed by trained propane professionals. For more information go to propanesafety.com.

Table of Contents
2 PROFESSIONALLY ACCREDITED TRAINING 3 PROPERTIES OF GAS 6 VAPOR PRESSURE OF GAS 7 DETERMINING TOTAL LOAD 9 VAPORIZATION RATES 11 CONTAINER LOCATION AND INSTALLATION 14 PIPE AND TUBING SIZING 16 GAS PIPING INLET POSITIONING 17 CONVERSION FACTORS

Professionally Accredited Training

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) provides free AIA-, NAHB-, USGBC-, and NARIapproved continuing education courses. Fulfill your CEU requirements today at buildwithpropane.com/training.
Energy Efficiency
Go Green With Propane: An Overview of Propane Gas Systems for Green Residential Construction Propane-Enhanced Renewable Energy Systems Residential Energy Performance Upgrades: An Energy, Economic, and Environmental Analysis Understanding the 2009 IECC Energy Code, Advanced Efficiency Programs, and Their Implications for Propane Energy and Environmental Analysis of Propane Energy Pod Homes

Generators
Specifying Propane Standby Generators: Installation and Value Considerations Living Off-Grid: Power Generation and Storage Basics

Heating
A Comparative Analysis of Residential Heating Systems Hydronic Heating in Rural Residential Applications Propane Enhanced Solar Water Heating Retrofitting Homes from Heating Oil to Propane: Efficiency, Economic, and Environmental Benefits Heating Oil Conversion: Exploring Propane as a Viable Alternative Energy Source

Outdoor Living
Expanding Outdoor Living: Using Propane for Efficient and Sustainable Outdoor Living Innovations With Propane Gas for Outdoor Residential Use

Propane Systems
Community Propane Tanks: Economical, Environmentally Responsible Energy Without Geographic Limits Propane Gas Underground Systems: Residential Infrastructure Requirements and Energy Benefits

Water Heating
A Comparative Analysis of Residential Water Heating Systems Water Heaters: Retrofitting from Standard Electric to Gas Tankless Condensing Tankless Water Heaters: Using Propane for the Most Efficient Water Heaters on the Market

Properties of Propane and Natural Gas

(Methane) Table 1A. Approximate Properties of Gases (English) PROPERTY Initial Boiling Point Specific Gravity of Liquid (Water at 1.0) at 60F Weight per Gallon of Liquid at 60F, LB Specific Heat of Liquid, Btu/LB at 60F Cubic Feet of Vapor per Gallon at 60F Cubic Feet of Vapor per Pound at 60F Specific Gravity of Vapor (Air = 1.0) at 60F Ignition Temperature in Air, F Maximum Flame Temperature in Air, F Cubic Feet of Air Required to Burn One Cubic Foot of Gas Limits of Flammability in Air, % of Vapor in Air-Gas Mix: (a) Lower (b) Upper Latent Heat of Vaporization at Boiling Point: (a) Btu per Pound (b) Btu per Gallon Total Heating Values After Vaporization: (a) Btu per Cubic Foot (b) Btu per Pound (c) Btu per Gallon Propane C3H8 -44 0.504 4.2 0.63 36.38 8.66 1.5 9201120 3595 23.68 Natural Gas CH4 -259 n/a n/a n/a n/a 23.55 0.6 1301 2834 9.57

2.15 9.6

5 15

184 773

219 n/a

2,488 21,548 91,502

1,012 28,875 n/a

Properties of Gas

(Continued)

Table 1B. Approximate Properties of Gases (Metric) Propane PROPERTY Initial Boiling Point, C Specific Gravity of Liquid (Water at 1.0) at 15.56C Weight per Cubic Meter of Liquid at 15.56C, kg Specific Heat of Liquid, Kilojoule/Kilogram at 15.56C Cubic Meter of Vapor per Liter at 15.56C Cubic Meter of Vapor per Kilogram at 15.56C Specific Gravity of Vapor (Air = 1.0) at 15.56C Ignition Temperature in Air, C Maximum Flame Temperature in Air, C Cubic Meters of Air Required to Burn One Cubic Meter of Gas Limits of Flammability in Air, % of Vapor in Air-Gas Mix: (a) Lower (b) Upper Latent Heat of Vaporization at Boiling Point: (a) Kilojoule per Kilogram (b) Kilojoule per Liter Total Heating Values After Vaporization: (a) Kilojoule per Cubic Meter (b) Kilojoule per Kilogram (c) Kilojoule per Liter C3H8 -42 0.504 504 1.464 0.271 0.539 1.50 493604 1,980 23.86 Natural Gas CH4 -162 n/a n/a n/a n/a 1.470 0.56 705 1,557 9.57

2.15 9.6

5.0 15.0

428 216

509 n/a

92,430 49,920 25,140

37,706 55,533 n/a

Table 1C. Energy Content and Environmental Impact of Various Energy Sources Propane (per ft3) Energy Value CO2 emissions (lbs/ MMBtu) Source Energy Multipliers* 2,524 Btu/ft3 139.2 Methane 1,012 Btu/ft3 115.3 Propane (per gallon) 91,500 Btu/gal 139.2 Fuel Oil 139,400 Btu/gal 161.4 Electricity 3,413 Btu/ kWh 389.5

1.151

1.092

1.151

1.158

3.365

*Source Energy Multiplier is the total units of energy that go into

generation, processing, and delivery for a particular energy source to produce one unit of energy at the site.

Vapor Pressure of Gas

Vapor pressure can be defined as the force exerted by a gas or liquid attempting to escape from a container. This pressure moves gas along the pipe or tubing to the appliance burner. Outside temperature greatly affects container pressure. Lower temperature means lower container pressure. Too low a container pressure means that not enough gas is able to get to the appliance. The table below shows vapor pressures for propane and butane at various outside temperatures.
Table 2. Vapor Pressures Approximate Vapor Pressure, PSIG (bar) Propane to Butane 100% 80/20 60/40 50/50 40/60 20/80 100% 3 (0,21) 6.9 (0,58) 12 (0,83) 17 (1,2) 23 (1,6) 29 (2,0) 36 (2,5) 45 (3,1)

TEMPERATURE F C

3.6 -40 -40 (0,25) 8 4.5 -30 -34,4 (0,55) (0,31) 13.5 9.2 4.9 1.9 -20 -28,9 (0,93) (0,63) (0,34) (0,13) 20 16 9 6 3.5 -10 -23,3 (1,4) (1,1) (0,62) (0,41) (0,24) 28 22 15 11 7.3 0 -17,8 (1,9) (1,5) (1,0) (0,76) (0,50) 37 29 20 17 13 3.4 10 -12,2 (2,6) (2,0) (1,4) (1,2) (0,90) (0,23) 47 36 28 23 18 7.4 20 -6,7 (3,2) (2,5) (1,9) (1,6) (1,2) (0,51) 58 45 35 29 24 13 30 -1,1 (4,0) (3,1) (2,4) (2,0) (1,7) (0,9) 72 58 44 37 32 18 40 4,4 (5,0) (4,0) (3,0) (2,6) (2,2) (1,2) 86 69 53 46 40 24 50 10 (5,9) (4,8) (3,7) (3,2) (2,8) (1,7) 102 80 65 56 49 30 60 15,6 (7,0) (5,5) (4,5) (3,9) (3,4) (2,1) 127 95 78 68 59 38 70 21,1 (8,8) (6,6) (5,4) (4,7) (4,1) (2,6) 140 125 90 80 70 46 80 26,7 (9,7) (8,6) (6,2) (5,5) (4,8) (3,2) 165 140 112 95 82 56 90 32,2 (11,4) (9,7) (7,7) (6,6) (5,7) (3,9) 196 168 137 123 100 69 100 37,8 (13,5) (11,6) (9,4) (8,5) (6,9) (4,8) 220 185 165 148 130 80 110 43,3 (15,2) (12,8) (11,4) (10,2) (9,0) (5,5) Table adapted from LP-Gas Servicemans Handbook 2012

Determining Total Load

The best way to determine Btu input is from the appliance nameplate or from the manufacturers catalog. Add the input of all the appliances for the total load. If specific appliance capacity information is not available, Table 3A below will be useful. Remember to allow for appliances that may be installed at a later date. If the propane load in standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH) is desired, divide the Btu/hr load by 2,488 to get SCFH. Conversely, the Btu/hr capacity can be obtained from SCFH by multiplying the SCFH figure by 2,488. Figuring the total load accurately is most important because of the size of the pipe and tubing, the tank, and the regulator will be based on the capacity of the system to be served.
Table 3A. Gas Required for Common Appliances APPLIANCE Warm Air Furnace Single Family Multifamily, per Unit Hydronic Boiler, Space Heating Single Family Multifamily, per Unit Hydronic Boiler, Space and Water Heating Single Family Multifamily, per Unit Range, Freestanding, Domestic Built-In Oven or Broiler Unit, Domestic Built-In Top Unit, Domestic Water Heater, Storage, 30 to 40 gal. Tank Water Heater, Storage, 50 gal. Tank Water Heater, Tankless 2.5 GPM 3 GPM 4 GPM Water Heater, Domestic, Circulating or Side-Arm Refrigerator Clothes Dryer, Type 1 (Domestic) Gas Fireplace Direct Vent Gas Log Barbecue Gas Light Table adapted from Newport Partners, 2011. Approximate Input Btu/hr 60,000120,000 40,00060,000 80,000140,000 50,00080,000 100,000200,000 50,000100,000 50,00090,000 14,00016,000 40,00085,000 25,00050,000 30,00055,000 30,00055,000 115,000125,000 125,000150,000 155,000200,000 1,5002,000 18,00022,000 20,00090,000 35,00090,000 40,00080,000 1,4002,800

Determining Total Load

(Continued)

A variety of mechanical systems are available for space heating and water heating in homes. These systems have varying energy sources and varying efficiency levels. Table 3B below provides simple calculations that allow contractors and homeowners to estimate the dollars per million Btus depending on the equipment type, efficiency, and energy price. The $/MMBtu figure can be compared across different options to evaluate them.
Table 3B. Operating Costs and Equipment Efficiencies of Residential Space and Water Heating Systems SPACE HEATING Propane (furnace or boiler) Natural Gas (furnace or boiler) Fuel Oil (furnace or boiler) Electric Resistance Electric Air Source Heat Pump Electric Ground Source Heat Pump Pricing Estimation Formula ($/MMBtu) (10.9 x $/gal) (AFUE/100) (10 x $/therm) (AFUE/100) (7.2 x $/gal) (AFUE/100) 293 x $/kWh (1000 x $/kWh) HSPF (293 x $/kWh) COP Pricing Estimation Formula ($/MMBtu) (10.9 x $/gal)/EF (10 x $/therm)/EF (7.2 x $/gal)/EF (293 x $/kWh)/EF (293 x $/kWh)/EF Typical Equipment Efficiency Ranges for Newer Systems AFUE: 7898 AFUE: 7898 AFUE: 7895 COP: 1.0 HSPF: 7.713.0 COP: 3.04.7
Typical Storage Water Heater Energy Factors (EF) Typical Instantaneous Water Heater Energy Factor (EF)

WATER HEATING

Propane Methane Fuel Oil Electric Resistance Electric Air Source Heat Pump up to 96%.

0.590.67* 0.590.70* 0.510.68 0.900.95 2.02.51

0.820.98 0.820.98 0.931.0

*Residential and commercial units are available with thermal efficiencies

Vaporization Rates
The factors affecting vaporization include wetted surface area of the container, liquid level in the container, temperature and humidity surrounding the container, and whether the container is aboveground or underground. The temperature of the liquid is proportional to the outside air temperature, and the wetted surface area is the tank surface area in contact with the liquid. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is lower or the container has less liquid in it, the vaporization rate of the container is a lower value. To determine the proper size of ASME storage tanks, it is important to consider the lowest winter temperature at the location. See page 10 for more information.

Vaporization Rates for ASME Storage Tanks

A number of assumptions were made in calculating the Btu figures listed in Table 4, below: 1 The tank is one-half full. 2 Relative humidity is 70 percent. 3 The tank is under intermittent loading. Although none of these conditions may apply, Table 4 can still serve as a good rule of thumb in estimating what a particular tank size will provide under various temperatures. This method uses ASME tank dimensions, liquid level, and a constant value for each 10 percent of liquid to estimate the vaporization capacity of a given tank size at 0F. Continuous loading is not a very common occurrence on domestic installations, but under continuous loading the withdrawal rates in Table 4 should be multiplied by 0.25.
Table 4. Maximum Intermittent Withdrawal Rate (Btu/hr) Without Tank Frosting* If Lowest Outdoor Temperature (Average for 24 Hours) Reaches ... TEMPERATURE 40F 30F 20F 10F 0F -10F -20F -30F 4C -1C -7C -12C -18C -23C -29C -34C Tank Size, Gallons (l) 150 (568) 214,900 187,000 161,800 148,000 134,700 132,400 108,800 107,100 250 (946) 288,100 251,800 216,800 198,400 180,600 177,400 145,800 143,500 500 (1893) 478,800 418,600 360,400 329,700 300,100 294,800 242,300 238,600 1000 (3785) 852,800 745,600 641,900 587,200 534,500 525,400 431,600 425,000

*Tank frosting acts as an insulator, reducing the vaporization rate.

10

Container Location and Installation

Once the proper size of the ASME storage tank has been determined, careful attention must be given to the most convenient yet safe place for its location on the customers property. The container should be placed in a location pleasing to the customer but not conflicting with state and local regulations or NFPA 58, Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases. Refer to this standard and consult with your propane professional to determine the appropriate placement of propane containers. In general, storage tanks should be placed in an accessible location for filling. Aboveground tanks should be supported by concrete blocks of appropriate size and reinforcement. All propane storage tanks should be located away from vehicular traffic. For ASME containers, the distance from any building openings, external sources of ignition, and intakes to direct-vented gas appliances or mechanical ventilation systems are a critical consideration. See Figures 5 and 6 on pages 12 and 13, respectively. Refer to NFPA 58 for the minimum distances that these containers must be placed from a building or other objects.

11

12
Central AC compressor (source of ignition)
Intake to directvent appliance 10 ft (min)
Under 125 gal w.c.

125 Under c. gal w.

Container Location

10 ft (min) 5 ft (min) 10 ft (min)

125 gal 500 w.c .

10 ft (min)

Window air conditioner (source of ignition)

25 ft (min)
501 20 00 gal w.c .

10 ft (min)

Figure 5.  Aboveground ASME containers. Reproduced with permission from NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, Copyright 2010, National Fire Protection Association. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.
25 ft (min)

1.  Regardless of its size, any ASME tank filled on site must be located so that the filling connection and fixed maximum liquid level gauge are at least 10 ft from any external source of ignition (e.g., open flame, window AC, compressor), intake to direct-vented gas appliances or intake to a mechanical ventilation system.

2.  The distance may be reduced to no less than 10 ft for a single container of 1200 gal (4.5 m3) water capacity or less, provided such container is at least 25 ft from any other LP-Gas container of more than 125 gal (0.5 m3) water capacity.

(Continued)

Window air conditioner (source of ignition)

Intake to directvent appliance

10 ft (min) (Note 1)

10 ft (min) (Note 1)
10 ft (min) (Note 1) 10 ft (min) (Note 2) 10 ft (min) (Note 2) Crawl space opening, window, or exhaust fan

Central AC compressor (source of ignition)

2000 or lessgal w.c.

Nearest line of adjoining property that can be built upon

Figure 6.  Underground ASME containers. Reproduced with permission from NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, Copyright 2010, National Fire Protection Association. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety. 2.  No part of an underground container can be less than 10 ft from an important building or line of adjoining property that can be built upon.

1.  The relief valve, filling connection, and fixed maximum liquid level gauge vent connection at the container must be at least 10 ft from any exterior source of ignition, openings into direct-vent appliances, or mechanical ventilation air intakes.

13

14
Nominal Pipe Size, Schedule 40 1-1/4 in. (1.38) 2353 1617 1299 1111 985 892 764 677 600 544 465 412 374 344 320 618 560 515 479 697 815 899 1731 1569 1343 1190 1078 992 923 1014 1954 1144 2204 1337 2575 1476 2842 8009 7256 6211 5504 4878 4420 3783 3353 3038 2795 2600 1665 3207 9036 1946 3747 10558 2423 4666 13148 3525 6789 19130 28008 19250 15458 13230 11726 10625 9093 8059 7143 6472 5539 4909 4448 4092 3807 1-1/2 in. (1.61) 2 in. (2.067) 3 in. (3.068) 3-1/2 in. (3.548) 4 in. (4.026) 39018 26817 21535 18431 16335 14801 12668 11227 9950 9016 7716 6839 6196 5701 5303

Table 7. Pipe Sizing Between Second-Stage Regulator and Appliance

MAXIMUM UNDILUTED PROPANE CAPACITIES BASED ON 10.0 PSI INLET PRESSURE AND 1.0 PSI PRESSURE DROP. (BASED ON A 1.52 SPECIFIC-GRAVITY GAS.)

Piping Length, Feet

1/2 in. (0.622)

3/4 in. (0.824)

1 in. (1.049)

10

291

608

1146

20

200

418

788

30

161

336

632

40

137

287

541

50

122

255

480

60

110

231

435

80

94

198

372

100

84

175

330

125

74

155

292

150

67

141

265

200

58

120

227

250

51

107

201

300

46

97

182

350

43

89

167

400

40

83

156

Note: Capacities are in 1000 Btu/hr.

Adapted with permission from NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, Copyright 2010, National Fire Protection Association. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.

Table 8. Maximum Capacity of CSST*

IN THOUSANDS OF BTU/HR OF UNDILUTED PROPANE AT A PRESSURE OF 11-INCHES W.C. AND A PRESSURE DROP OF 0.5-INCH W.C. (BASED ON A 1.52 SPECIFIC GRAVITY GAS) Tubing Length, Feet 25 30 42 82 94 164 192 325 379 344 297 265 241 222 297 256 227 207 191 178 208 177 153 137 126 117 109 151 131 118 107 99 94 90 102 169 197 87 74 66 60 57 52 50 74 64 58 53 49 45 44 41 47 85 98 159 186 39 33 30 26 25 23 22 20 15 31 36 66 75 123 143 28 23 20 19 17 15 15 14 11 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 150 200 9 14 28 33 60 69 112 129 250 8 12 25 30 53 61 99 117 300 8 11 23 26 50 57 90 107

EHD** FLOW DESIGNATION

10

15

20

13

72

50

39

34

15

99

69

55

49

18

181

129

104

91

19

211

150

121

106

23

355

254

208

183

25

426

303

248

216

30

744

521

422

365

31

863

605

490

425

* Table includes losses for four 90 bends and two end fittings. Tubing runs with larger numbers of bend and/or fittings shall be increased by an equivalent length of tubing to the following equation: L = 1.3n where L is the additional length (ft) of tubing and n is the number of additional fittings and/or bends. ** EHD (Equivalent Hydraulic Diameter) A measure of the relative hydraulic efficiency between different tubing sizes. The greater the value of EHD, the greater the gas capacity of the tubing.

Adapted with permission from NFPA 58-2011, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, Copyright 2010, National Fire Protection Association. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.

15

Gas Piping Inlet Positioning

Just like tanks, propane pressure regulators come with pipe-size and installation-distance requirements. Regulators installed on the gas piping system at the side of buildings cannot be placed closer than 3 feet horizontally from any building opening, such as a window well, thats lower than the installed regulator. Nor can they be placed closer than 5 feet from any source of ignition, such as an AC compressor. Additional regulations, as well as regulator manufacturers instructions, may apply. Check with a propane professional first to ensure you comply with interior gas piping inlet positioning requirements.

16

Conversion Factors
Multiply LENGTH AND AREA Millimeters Meters Sq. Centimeters Sq. Meters VOLUME AND MASS Cubic Meters Liters Gallons Cubic cm. Liters Liters Kilograms Tonnes Millibars Ounces/sq. in. Inches w.c. Bars Kilopascals Kilograms/sq. cm. Pounds/sq. in. Liters/hr. Cubic Meters/hr. MISCELLANEOUS Kilojoules Calories, kg Watts Btu Megajoules 0.9478 3.968 3.414 0.00001 0.00948 Btu Btu Btu/hr Therms Therms 35.315 0.0353 0.1337 0.061 2.114 0.2642 2.2046 1.1024 0.4018 1.733 0.0361 14.50 0.1450 14.222 0.068 0.0353 4.403 Cubic Feet Cubic Feet Cubic Feet Cubic Inches Pints (US) Gallons (US) Pounds Tons (US) Inches w.c. Inches w.c. Pounds/sq. in. Pounds/sq. in. Pounds/sq. in. Pounds/sq. in. Atmospheres Cubic Feet/hr. Gallons/min. 0.0394 3.2808 0.1550 10.764 Inches Feet Sq. Inches Sq. Feet By To Obtain

PRESSURE AND FLOW RATE

17

Conversion Factors
Multiply LENGTH AND AREA Inches Feet Sq. Inches Sq. Feet VOLUME AND MASS Cubic Feet Cubic Feet Cubic Feet Cubic Inches Pints (US) Gallons (US) Pounds Tons (US) Inches w.c. Inches w.c. Pounds/sq. in. Pounds/sq. in. Pounds/sq. in. Pounds/sq. in. Atmospheres Cubic Feet/hr. Gallons/min. MISCELLANEOUS Btu Btu Btu/hr Therms Therms 1.055 0.252 0.293 100,000 105.5 Kilojoules Calories, kg Watts Btu Megajoules 0.0283 28.316 7.481 16.387 0.473 3.785 0.4535 0.9071 2.488 0.577 27.71 0.0689 6.895 0.0703 14.696 28.316 0.2271 Cubic Meters Liters Gallons Cubic cm. Liters Liters Kilograms Tonnes Millibars Ounces/sq. in. Inches w.c. Bars Kilopascals Kilograms/sq. cm. Pounds/sq. in. Liters/hr. Cubic Meters/hr. 25.4 0.3048 6.4516 0.0929 Millimeters Meters Sq. Centimeters Sq. Meters By To Obtain

PRESSURE AND FLOW RATE

18

Temperature Conversion
Table 9. Temperature Conversion
F -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 C -40 -34.4 -28.9 -23.3 -17.8 -12.2 -6.7 F 30 32 40 50 60 70 80 C -1.1 0 4.4 10.0 15.6 21.1 26.7 F 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 C 32.2 37.8 43.3 48.9 54.4 60.0 65.6

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19

Notes

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 ropane Education & Research Council P 1140 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 1075 Washington, DC 20036 Propane Education & Research Council 01/12 The Propane Education & Research Council was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104-284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of the Propane Education & Research Council is to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized propane gas as a preferred energy source.