TP-6727 10/11 Appendix 61
Appendix B Fuel Physical Properties
Physical Property
@15°C(60°F)
Butane Propane Natural Gas
Manufactured or
Sewage Gas
Gasoline Diesel Fuel
Normal atmospheric
state
Gas Gas Gas Gas Liquid Liquid
Boiling point,
Initial, °C(°F)
End, °C(°F)
—
0 (32)
—
42 (--44 )
—
--162 (--259)
—
—
36 (97)
216 (420)
177 (350)
357 (675)
Heating value, Btu
/gal. (net, LHV*)
/gal. (gross)
/ft
3
(gas)
94670
102032
3264
83340
91500
2516
63310
—
1000
—
—
600--700
116400
124600
6390
130300
139000
—
Density,
Ft
3
of gas/gal.
31.26 36.39 57.75 — 19.5 —
Wt./gal. liquid, lb. 4.81 4.24 2.65 — 6.16 7.08
Octane Number
Research
Motor
94
90
110+
97
110+
—
—
—
80--100
75--90
—
—
* Lower Heating Value
Figure 1 Engine Fuels, Physical Properties
Characteristic, LP Gas* Butane Propane
Formula C
4
H
10
C
3
H
8
Boiling point, °C(°F) 0 (32) --42 (--44)
Specific gravity of gas (air = 1.00) 2.00 1.53
Specific gravity of liquid (water = 1.00) 0.58 0.51
Btu/lb. of gas 21221 21591
Ft
3
of vapor at 16°C(60°F)/lb. of liquid at 16°C
(60°F)
6.506 8.547
Latent heat of vaporization at boiling point, Btu/gal. 808.0 785.0
Combustion Data:
Ft
3
air required to burn 1 ft
3
of gas
Flash point, °C(°F)
Ignition temperature in air, °C(°F)
Max. flame temperature in air, °C(°F)
31.02
N/A
482--538
(900--1000)
1991 (3615)
23.86
--104 (--156)
493--549
(920--1020)
1979 (3595)
Limits of inflammability, percentage of gas in air
mixture:
At lower limit, %
At upper limit, %
1.9
8.6
2.4
9.6
Octane Number (ISO-Octane = 100) 92 Over 100
* Commercial quality. Figures shown in this chart represent average values.
Figure 2 Additional LP Gas Characteristics