LP Gas(LPG): Clean Energy
LP gas is an abbreviation for liquefied petroleum gas, a clean energy source with minimal emissions. LP gas (LPG) stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and is a compound composed primarily of propane and butane, both of which are carbon and hydrogen compounds.
Advantages of LP Gas (LPG)
LP gas is used throughout Thailand and is also an essential energy source in remote areas such as islands and mountainous regions due to its portability in containers.
Among fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas, LP gas), it emits relatively low CO2 and has extremely clean emissions when burned, similar to natural gas.
Additionally, unlike oil, LP gas hardly deteriorates, making it suitable for long-term storage. Routine management is handled by gas suppliers, making storage easy and not burdensome for households or facilities.
In disaster situations, LP gas played a crucial role in affected areas that lost lifeline services due to its high portability and long shelf life.
Differences Between Diesel and Gas Generators
Gas generators have colorless and transparent exhaust with fewer harmful substances, making them environmentally friendly.
In contrast, diesel generators emit black smoke during operation, posing health risks. Furthermore, diesel and heavy oil, which are used as fuels, deteriorate rapidly and become unusable in a short period, whereas LP gas, which hardly deteriorates even with long-term storage, makes gas generators an innovative choice for emergency preparedness.
The table below highlights the differences between diesel and gas fuels regarding exhaust pollutants.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Generators by Fuel
| Environmental Performance | Diesel Generators | Gas Generators |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust | Black smoke | Colorless and transparent |
| CO2 | High | Low |
| NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) | High | Low |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | High | Low |
| HC (Hydrocarbons) | High | Low |
| PM (Particulate Matter) | High | Low |
| SOx (Sulfur Oxides) | High | None |
| Initial Cost | Lower than gas | Higher than diesel |
| Prevalence | Standard currently | Noticed after the Great East Japan Earthquake |
| Fuel Consumption (24 hours) | 256.8 liters / 24hours | Two 50kg cylinders / 24hours |
| Fuel Supply in Disasters | Difficult to procure | Highly portable, easy to procure and store |
| Fuel Shelf Life | Deteriorates rapidly, unsuitable for long-term storage | Hardly deteriorates, suitable for long-term storage |
| Fuel Management | Self-managed by owner | Managed by gas supplier |
* Comparison under the same operational conditions.
NOx (Nitrogen Oxides): A general term for nitrogen oxides such as nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are produced by car exhaust and factory equipment and cause air pollution.
Cobalt (Co): Represented by the symbol Co, it has an atomic number of 27. It is a grayish-white metal that belongs to the iron group, showing ductility and ferromagnetism.
HC (Hydrocarbons): Compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen. The HC (hydrocarbons) in engine exhaust is mostly unburned fuel, which reacts with NOx (nitrogen oxides) under sunlight at high altitudes to produce peroxides, causing photochemical smog.
Particulate Matter (PM): Particulate pollutants in the air, such as carbon and hydrocarbons from incomplete fuel combustion, brake material (asbestos), and asphalt dust from spike tires.
SOx (Sulfur Oxides): A general term for sulfur oxides such as sulfur monoxide (SO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which cause air pollution.