如果您曾经站在五金过道里试图购买燃气灶、烤架，甚至烘干机，您可能会碰壁。 销售人员会问一个简单的问题，如果你答错了，可能会毁了你的周末：这是天然气还是液化石油气？
这不是一个棘手的问题。 这是安全要求。
这两种燃料在管道中看起来很相似，但它们的行为却截然不同。 使用错误的燃料并不仅仅意味着一顿饭做得不好。 这意味着火灾危险、设备损坏或代价高昂的错误。 以下是通俗易懂的解释，说明了为什么这种区别很重要、化学反应如何发挥作用，以及在连接任何东西之前需要检查什么。
化学差异：甲烷与丙烷
Let’s start with the basics. Natural gas is exactly what it sounds like. It comes out of the ground. Mainly methane ($CH_4$). It’s already buried underground, waiting to be piped into your home.
LPG or LPG is a different matter. It is a by-product of crude oil refining. Mainly propane ($C_3H_8$).
为什么来源很重要？ Because of storage.
Propane has its own special characteristics. When squeezed, it becomes a liquid. This makes it easier to keep it in the container. A huge amount of energy can be injected into a small cylinder. Natural gas cannot do this. It remains in a gaseous state. Efficient storage requires huge high-pressure water tanks, which are not practical for home or portable grills.
That’s why natural gas goes through the 公用事业公司的管道. Propane is in the tank and can be refilled or replaced.
喷嘴尺寸问题
You might think that connecting your natural gas stove to a propane tank works just fine. No.
Inside the gas device is a small component called a nozzle. It’s a small screw cap with a hole in the middle. Regulates the amount of fuel entering the burner.
The problem is that the difference in natural gas is about twice the difference in LPG.
Why? Because of the energy density.
丙烷的能量密度更高。 One cubic foot of natural gas produces about 1,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy. One cubic foot of propane produces about 2,500 BTUs.
This means that propane has 2.5 times more energy than natural gas in the same space.
When you run your natural gas appliances with propane, you add 2.5 times more energy to the burner. The device operates at temperatures that exceed twice the design temperature. Efficiency is not the only problem with water heaters. It can generate enough heat to start a fire.
How to convert or select the correct settings
Most new devices come with two sets of nozzles. One set for natural gas and one for LPG. You can install the appropriate kit according to your fuel source.
If you have an 旧设备, you 不能只更换软管. Jets need to be checked.
** For DIYers:
1. 确定燃料来源。它是来自市政管道 (natural gas) or a portable tank (propane/LP gas)?
2. Check nozzle. ** Look for a small piece of metal inside the burner assembly. If the holes seem small, they can be set for propane. 如果看起来较宽，则是天然气。
3. Replace if necessary. ** Conversion kits can be purchased for many stoves and heaters. These include the correct nozzle and possibly a new 调节阀. The regulator is very important because the pressure in the natural gas line is low and the pressure in the propane tank is high. High pressure propane cannot be passed through a low pressure natural gas regulator without risk of rupture.
“If you use equipment that runs on natural gas and then LPG, the equipment is more than twice as hot.”
一种燃料比另一种更好吗？
这取决于你需要什么。
液化石油气（丙烷） 的能量密度更高。 它燃烧得更热。 它更适合烧烤或快速加热大空间等高温应用。 如果您居住在以下地区，这也是唯一的选择
