Is there a chemical to enchace Calorific Value of LPG

[oswald88]

Hi All
Is there any chemical that will improve/increase the calorific value of LPG (P70:B30), which will enhance the vaporization rate and will produce complete and clean burning of fuel? Also is there any equipment (not software) to measure the calorific value of LPG and where is that facility located?

 

[LittleInch]

The first sounds like snake oil, I.e it doesn't exist.

The second sounds like a test lab to ne. Look them up in your locality.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[zdas04]

There absolutely is such a chemical. If I burn propane in air, the flame temperature is 3596F. If I use this miracle chemical instead of air it has a flame temperature of 4579F. Wow. It really works. The miracle chemical is of course oxygen.

[bold]David Simpson, PE[/bold]
MuleShoe Engineering

In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist

 

[LittleInch]

I don't think he's looking for that but something liquid and cheap. What's the cost of pure oxygen compared to lpg? Genuinely would like to know as it's not something I've ever bought.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[oswald88]

Even I am in the same surprise while a company is trying to sell something as per the attached brochure, and claim it will improve BTU, provide faster cutting of metals, clean finish and complete vaporization.

http://www.energyadditives.com/products-services/cutting-fuel-additive-hgx-3/index.html

 

[zdas04]

I did a feasibility study on building a nitrogen plant (that would end up with 96% oxygen in the waste stream) and the life cycle costs were just over $2/MSCF for the O2. The big cost driver (since we were buying a used plant for about 30% of the original construction cost) was compression hp. That project was going to use the nitrogen for enhanced recovery (nitrogen flood, the EOR project was going to pay $10/MSCF for the nitrogen, if the goal had been oxygen extraction the cost would have been $12/MSCF) and pressure maintenance and the oxygen to blend an 80% CO2/ 20% O2 feed for a big genset. The thinking was that we could eliminate NOx and CO scrubbers if we didn't put any nitrogen into the process. Turns out to have really crappy economics.

[bold]David Simpson, PE[/bold]
MuleShoe Engineering

In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist

 

[EmmanuelTop]

This is apparently a heavy mixture of petroleum distillates, solvents, acids, and additives. It has flash point of 109 degF (42.7 degC).

I am not really sure how this chemical can "enhance the vaporization rate and will produce complete and clean burning of fuel", unless it is compared to burning coal or wood. It is like saying "adding Diesel to LPG will improve/enhance vaporization of LPG". A salesman pitch.

If we knew what the application was, we might be able to deduce further.



Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[oswald88]

@EmmanuelTop: Application is for Metal Cutting.

You will be still surprised that there are 4 more product lines that this company is trying to sell saying as Fork Lift gas additive, Heating Additive, Diesel Enhancer . I seriously don't understand how they sell these.

 

[chicopee]

Check into the ingredients of Chem-o-lene. The primary ingredient is LPG, then an additive as mentioned above is introduced to increase flame temperature.

 

[georgeverghese]

Sounds like this LPG mix isnt vaporizing as expected at the burner as expected(butane content looks high); ie there is still a small liquid fraction at the burner - hence a sooty flame with low flame temp. Some amount of preheat may be required to enable complete vaporisation.

Run a simulation on this mix and see how much preheat is required, and what utility may be required toenable this.

Also check if you have sufficient combustion air at the burner.

 

[oswald88]

@georgeverghese: is an open ended cutting torch, where we do not have control over air- fuel mixture.

Oswald Vincent M.S Mech. Engg.

Keep Things Simple.

 

[BigInch]

Maybe you are using the wrong gas mixture.
Cutting torches use oxyacetylene to generate high temperatures.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxy-fuel_welding_and_cutting

 

[georgeverghese]

Any hydrocarbon with a double or triple bond will give you higher temps than what you're getting now with single bonded alkanes with these torches - acetylene ( triple bond), ethylene or propylene (double bond).

Calorific values for the gas mix you have now can be calculated by hand - sum up the weight fraction biased LHV for each of C3 and C4 to get the total kJ/kg. But if your mix is a liquid at the torch nozzle, subtract the latent heat of vaporisation from this total.

Providing external preheat for vaporisation of this C3/ C4 liquid mix will increase flame temps.