Butane or Propane
 

Hi,

I've just switched to propane on my GRP canal cruiser due to the lower
freezing point.

But most other cruisers seem to run butane.

Why?

Regards


Webby

Butane or Propane
 

I've always used propane and I don't know any here on the west coast that
use butane. Perhaps in Europe

You are correct about the lower freeze point being an advantage. However
they both share the same safety (explosion) hazard.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Butane or Propane
 

Except propane is heavier than air and butane (e.g. camping gas) is
lighter than air..


Hanz

Steve wrote:
I've always used propane and I don't know any here on the west coast that
use butane. Perhaps in Europe

You are correct about the lower freeze point being an advantage. However
they both share the same safety (explosion) hazard.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Butane or Propane
 

I thought 'Camping Gas' was naphtha...

hanz wrote in message
...
Except propane is heavier than air and butane (e.g. camping gas) is
lighter than air..


Hanz

Butane or Propane
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:22:39 GMT, in message

"Don White" wrote:

I thought 'Camping Gas' was naphtha...

He probably means "Camping Gaz" which is a brand name for LPG camping
appliances (stoves, lanterns, etc.) and their fuel. It is quite common
in Europe and the canisters will contain a mix of propane and butane
in proportions that depend on the latitude. (This tidbit of knowledge
comes from reading the content labels when I should have been having
fun instead ;-) )

Butane (C4H10 MW=58) is heavier than Propane (C3H8 MW=44) is heavier
than air (mix N2 and O2 MW=29).

Ryk

hanz wrote in message
...
Except propane is heavier than air and butane (e.g. camping gas) is
lighter than air..


Hanz

Butane or Propane
 

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, I should have stated that I was in Europe, England
in fact.

Regards


Webby

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I've always used propane and I don't know any here on the west coast
that
use butane. Perhaps in Europe

You are correct about the lower freeze point being an advantage.
However
they both share the same safety (explosion) hazard.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Butane or Propane
 

Butane and Propane are both heavier than air, both Liquified Petroleum
Gas.

Butane burns hotter and has more heat per weight. But, its boiling
point is just about 0C (32F), so you don't get much gas in a cold
climate. Propane boils at around -40(C or F), so it is the only
component or principal component of commercial LPG in colder climates.

Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com


Ryk wrote in message . ..
On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:22:39 GMT, in message

"Don White" wrote:

I thought 'Camping Gas' was naphtha...

He probably means "Camping Gaz" which is a brand name for LPG camping
appliances (stoves, lanterns, etc.) and their fuel. It is quite common
in Europe and the canisters will contain a mix of propane and butane
in proportions that depend on the latitude. (This tidbit of knowledge
comes from reading the content labels when I should have been having
fun instead ;-) )

Butane (C4H10 MW=58) is heavier than Propane (C3H8 MW=44) is heavier
than air (mix N2 and O2 MW=29).

Ryk

hanz wrote in message
...
Except propane is heavier than air and butane (e.g. camping gas) is
lighter than air..


Hanz

Butane or Propane
 

So why do most boats on the UK canal system seem to use butane instead
of propane?

What advantages does it have?

Regards


Webby

"Jim Woodward" wrote in message
om...
Butane and Propane are both heavier than air, both Liquified Petroleum
Gas.

Butane burns hotter and has more heat per weight. But, its boiling
point is just about 0C (32F), so you don't get much gas in a cold
climate. Propane boils at around -40(C or F), so it is the only
component or principal component of commercial LPG in colder climates.

Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com


Ryk wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:22:39 GMT, in message

"Don White" wrote:

I thought 'Camping Gas' was naphtha...

He probably means "Camping Gaz" which is a brand name for LPG
camping
appliances (stoves, lanterns, etc.) and their fuel. It is quite
common
in Europe and the canisters will contain a mix of propane and butane
in proportions that depend on the latitude. (This tidbit of
knowledge
comes from reading the content labels when I should have been having
fun instead ;-) )

Butane (C4H10 MW=58) is heavier than Propane (C3H8 MW=44) is heavier
than air (mix N2 and O2 MW=29).

Ryk

hanz wrote in message
...
Except propane is heavier than air and butane (e.g. camping gas)
is
lighter than air..


Hanz

Butane or Propane
 

"Webby" wrote in message ...
So why do most boats on the UK canal system seem to use butane instead
of propane?

What advantages does it have?

Regards


Webby

Butane burns hotter and has more heat per pound. There may be a price
difference. You can't use it in winter. They take the same orifices
in the burners which are different from those used for natural gas.

The cynic in me says that none of them actually know what they're
using -- they just go to the supplier and say, "fill it up." It's
probably mostly propane in the winter and perhaps more butane in the
summer.

Jim Woodward
www.mvFintry.com