difference between butane and propane

[cooljules]

Hi. i know the basics, different operation temps, output temps, so one is better in deepest winter. but im thinking generally, i know propane doesnt burn as hot.

i filled my 4.5 butane for 17quid, but found this nearby. 20quid 19kg of propane.
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[maingate]

I notice that you live in the Sheffield area.

Look in your local Yellow Pages for an Energas depot (not agent). I buy Propane direct from my local one. An 11 kg bottle is £18 and coppers, a 6 kg one is £15 and coppers. You do not need to put a deposit down for your first bottle. I have never took much notice at my local depot but I suppose they also sell Butane gas.

Hope that helps.

 

[cooljules]

I notice that you live in the Sheffield area.

Look in your local Yellow Pages for an Energas depot (not agent). I buy Propane direct from my local one. An 11 kg bottle is £18 and coppers, a 6 kg one is £15 and coppers. You do not need to put a deposit down for your first bottle. I have never took much notice at my local depot but I suppose they also sell Butane gas.

Hope that helps.

thanks, 2 weeks ago i spent ages googling and came up with nowt. in the end i had to goto my local go outdoors store.

size doesnt bother me. for winter i will need a gas heater, and a warm van to keep my joints n back from seizing as i really want to do winter camping.

 

[Channa]

thanks, 2 weeks ago i spent ages googling and came up with nowt. in the end i had to goto my local go outdoors store.

size doesnt bother me. for winter i will need a gas heater, and a warm van to keep my joints n back from seizing as i really want to do winter camping.

I dont quite understand your question entirely, but if you intend camping in the winter Propane is the way to go.

Propane has a lower calorific value than butane, hence the reason it works at a slighlty higher pressure to compensate so in the end all is pretty much equal.

FWIW I tend to use butane say Easter till end of October and Propane over winter.

Channa

 

[Airecraft]

Propane has a lower calorific value than butane, hence the reason it works at a slighlty higher pressure to compensate so in the end all is pretty much equal.

Channa

Other way around, actually.

Heat of combustion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Propane is regulated at a higher pressure as it is less dense which is why you get less gas (by mass) in the same size bottle.

 

[Channa]

Other way around, actually.

Heat of combustion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Propane is regulated at a higher pressure as it is less dense which is why you get less gas (by mass) in the same size bottle.

I must be going daft this afternoon, I suggested Propane has a lower Calorific value which it does

Calor Gas :Calorific values

Butane 126 mj / metre cubed
Propane 95.8 / Metre cubed

I agree on density therefore more pressure is required so that at the 'appliance' it gives a similar performance.

Back on OT, if the OP wants gas in winter better off with Propane

Channa

 

[toxicturtle]

yeah, hard core, spesh when your gas doesnt.....!

thanks, 2 weeks ago i spent ages googling and came up with nowt. in the end i had to goto my local go outdoors store.

size doesnt bother me. for winter i will need a gas heater, and a warm van to keep my joints n back from seizing as i really want to do winter camping.

 

[Airecraft]

I must be going daft this afternoon, I suggested Propane has a lower Calorific value which it does

Calor Gas :Calorific values

Butane 126 mj / metre cubed
Propane 95.8 / Metre cubed

I agree on density therefore more pressure is required so that at the 'appliance' it gives a similar performance.


Channa

Yes, but gas is sold by mass, not volume, and that gives propane a higher calorific value.

 

[Channa]

Yes, but gas is sold by mass, not volume, and that gives propane a higher calorific value.

How gas is sold is irrelevant for a moment,

If you consider that the one constant is the cubic capacity of the Motorhomes gas system after the regulator propane delivers less bang for the buck providing 95.8 mj per cubic metre calorific value as opposed to 126 mj per cubic metre with Butane . This lower calorific value is compensated by charging the system with in theory another 9 mbar of pressure. Propane has a lower calorific value ( check the Calor website)

If you are suggesting Propane is better value for money, then that is totally different to calorific values which was my original statement.

regards

Channa

 

[Firefox]

Short answer is if you are camping in the UK and it's going to be less than 5 degrees (Could be 6 months of the year in out climate!)then stick with Propane.
For me that is less hassle than changing regulators over for winter etc. I like a simple life.

If you are going abroad to warmer parts, then Butane is worth looking at.

 

[Deleted member 8180]

Yep - I use propane all year in the UK (Gaslow tank and 4kg backup). I only change if I'm going abroad (in summer), then I swap the small propane tank for camping gaz 'cos you can exchange it.