Propane to butane ratio in the US?

[Second Chance]

Since this cuts across appliances and HVAC, I thought I'd post the question in the General Tech Topics area...

The updated app for my Mopeka tank sensors has settings for the size and orientation of the tanks (in my case, 30 lb. vertical) and now ratio of propane to butane. In the past, the sensors have registers a bit more liquid in the tanks than was actually there and the lack of this adjustment may explain that. However, in using Mr. Google I cannot find an answer to what the most common ratio is in LP sold in the US. Does it vary by latitude? Is it fairly constant? Anyone have any idea(s)?

Thanks!

Rob

[geotex1]

Rob,

Unless there has been a somewhat recent change, it's all propane in the USA regardless of season or location.

[Redapple63]

This is a very interesting question. I did a Google search after reading your post and there is Butane available but not as readily as Propane, and what is available is more expensive. Amazon, Walmart and others do sell Butane canisters. Propane and Butane work at different pressures so different regulators are needed for the same device to run both (need to swap regulator prior to switching fuel).

I don’t think Butane is nearly as available as Propane from what I can see, at least at the consumer level.

Bill

[Second Chance]

This is a very interesting question. I did a Google search after reading your post and there is Butane available but not as readily as Propane, and what is available is more expensive. Amazon, Walmart and others do sell Butane canisters. Propane and Butane work at different pressures so different regulators are needed for the same device to run both (need to swap regulator prior to switching fuel).

I don’t think Butane is nearly as available as Propane from what I can see, at least at the consumer level.

Bill

From what I found, in many countries, LPG is a propane/butane mix at up to 60/40. They mix well, but have different evaporation points and characteristics. I just couldn't find much addressing the US specifically (until @geotex1 came along).

Rob

[Always Learning]

From what I found, in many countries, LPG is a propane/butane mix at up to 60/40. They mix well, but have different evaporation points and characteristics. I just couldn't find much addressing the US specifically (until @geotex1 came along).

Rob

This link has good info

https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/1972-l...pg-gases-used/

[Second Chance]

This link has good info

https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/1972-l...pg-gases-used/

Thanks. I had found that site but hadn't read deeply enough since it's an Australian site. Scrolling down to the table, it clearly says 100:0 for the USA.

Thanks again,

Rob

[ajg617]

"Propane sold as a fuel for the consumer market is generally defined as HD-5, which contains a minimum of 90% propane by volume, with small quantities of other hydrocarbon gases. HD-10, which contains up to 10% propylene, is the accepted standard for propane in California."

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/...as-liquids.php

and

https://www.propane101.com/propanegradesandquality.htm
gives some decent detail

[sande005]

Thanks for this very timely post! Today's project was to do my first ever install of the Mopeka sensor's, and I am sure I would have gone down the rabbit hole with the same question!

[ajg617]

Just curious what ratios did you folks end up using? I hadn't really thought much about adding the sensors - just waited for one tank to run out. But, we went through 5 or 6 tanks this year between the furnace and generator mostly.

[Second Chance]

Just curious what ratios did you folks end up using? I hadn't really thought much about adding the sensors - just waited for one tank to run out. But, we went through 5 or 6 tanks this year between the furnace and generator mostly.

Based on research and what folks above said, I have mine set to 100% propane.

Rob