Go Camping With Portable Propane Generators
A device that can supply electricity to your house during power outages is casually referred to as a home generator and a popular choice for an emergency home generator due to the small sizes available are the portable propane generators. Using propane to power it, the portable propane generators can be stored conveniently or even traveled easily to be used on sites away from traditional electricity grids, as well as for people camping, hunting, fishing or simply looking for an alternative to mainstream electricity.
Propane is produced as a by-product of two other processes: natural gas processing and petroleum refining. The processing of natural gas involves removal of butane, propane and large amounts of ethane from the raw gas, in order to prevent condensation of these volatiles in natural gas pipelines. Additionally, oil refineries produce some propane as a by-product of production of cracking petroleum into gasoline or heating oil.
Propane, which is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves and residential central heating, was first identified as a volatile component in gasoline in 1910. It was heralded as the new find and it was reported that a steel bottle (of propane) will carry enough gas to light an ordinary home for three weeks. Propane became a great method of home power generation in no time at all. Portable propane generators enjoy the bonus of being light on fuel because of the properties of propane. Propane generators remain a popular choice because its low boiling point of −42 °C (−43.6 °F) makes it vaporize as soon as it is released from its pressurized container. Therefore, no carburettor or other vaporizing device is required; a simple metering nozzle suffices.
Propane powered generators as a choice has some positives and some negatives. Propane is similar in price to ordinary gas so propane generators are cheaper to run than for example diesel powered generators. However, the properties of propane do make it dangerous if there is a leak. Propane is heavier than air. If a leak in a propane fuel system occurs, the gas will have a tendency to sink into any enclosed area and thus poses a risk of explosion and fire. The typical scenario is a leaking cylinder stored in a basement; the propane leak drifts across the floor to the pilot light on the furnace or water heater, and results in an explosion or fire. It is therefore very important to store propane powered generators in safe areas and to ensure your maintenance is kept up to date. A propane generator in good condition is less likely to leak. Also, of course, it is important to ensure that people handling the generators are qualified and knowledgeable to ensure that leaks and explosions don't occur due to human error.
Portable propane generators are a popular choice because due to the propane being bought and stored in a liquid form, therefore requiring a limited amount of space they can be designed to be very small. The smaller the generator the less it weighs and the easier it is to transport out to camp-sites etc. with a minimum of fuss.
