Wednesday 20 August 2014

LPG and Why we Should Hire Plumbers in Adelaide to Convert us to it

Converting LPG and Natural Gas appliances is commonplace but can prove risky if not done by an experienced Plumber. In Adelaide, all residential and commercial properties will have a different gas system, this is why it is important to hire a plumber in Adelaide who will be able to identify the type of system and convert it if necessary. 

There are two main differences in the way that LPG (Propane) and natural gas (Methane) are burnt. The first difference is in the energy content. LPG has a higher calorific value, or energy content, so less gas is required to produce the same amount of heat. The second difference is in the oxygen to gas ratio required for proper combustion. LPG requires oxygen to gas ratio of approximately 25 to 1. Natural gas requires a ratio of around 10 to 1. To achieve this difference, LPG is typically provided in a smaller quantity but at a higher pressure, drawing more oxygen with it into the burner.

This is why it is important that plumbers are the only professionals to deal with your gas appliances. Because LPG is delivered at higher pressures than the normal working pressure of a natural gas appliance, if would be very dangerous to try and use an LPG gas for instance through an unconverted natural gas appliance. It is also important to make sure that your plumber or gas fitter is licensed and has the proper certificates. Gas appliances must be certified for use by an organisation approved by the Chief Inspector of the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate. These (Type A) appliances may include gas stoves, hot water heaters and commercial catering appliances. Any existing Type A Gas appliances that are not certified for use on LPG will need to be certified for use by the gasfitter. 

Liquefied petroleum gas or liquid petroleum gas is made up of either propane or butane and most commonly a mixture of both. A highly flammable liquid, LPG is used as a fuel for heating appliances, cooking equipment and vehicles. LPG is prepared by refining petroleum or "wet" natural gas, and is almost entirely derived from fossil fuel sources, being manufactured during the refining of petroleum (crude oil), or extracted from petroleum or natural gas streams as they emerge from the ground. LPG provides 3 per cent of all energy consumed globally. Despite the fact that LPG still produces air pollution, it doesn’t contribute nearly as much to ground and water pollution like coal does. There are two main concerns with LPG systems. The first is the risk of explosion and the second is the risk of suffocation due to LPG displacing air, causing a decrease in oxygen concentration. 

Natural gas or Liquefied Natural Gas LNG is a fossil fuel formed when layers of buried plants, gases, and animals are exposed to intense heat and pressure over thousands of years. Natural gas is a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly includes varying amounts of other higher alkanes and even a lesser percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas is often informally referred to simply as "gas", especially when compared to other energy sources such as oil or coal. The Chinese used natural gas in about 500 BC. They discovered a way to transport gas seeping from the ground in crude pipelines of bamboo to where it was used to boil sea water to extract the salt.

Registered plumbers are not allowed to conduct gas conversions if any of the appliances are not sustainable. If nothing else, this should persuade householders from ensuring they hire properly certified and reliable Plumbers in Adelaide. To find out more you can contact Best Plumbing and Maintenance on 0411 783 681 or visit their website http://bestplumbing.com.au/.

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