Propane has become increasingly popular as an industrial, commercial, and residential fuel source. Its uses are so prevalent that we almost take the gas for granted. Nearly everyone in the world uses propane without understanding its fascinating history. Since its discovery, propane has seen significant development across the years, from the 1800s until now.
Let’s break down the origin and development of propane gas.
Who discovered propane?
Propane traces its origin back to the late 1800s by Marcellin Berthelot, followed by its discovery in crude oil in 1863 by Edmund Ronalds. The most prominent historical figure regarding propane is Walter O. Snelling. His 1910 discovery marked the beginning of propane gas production in cooperation with Arthur Kerr, Chester Kerr, and Frank P. Peterson.
Propane gas production significantly increased in the 1920s, recording approximately 223,000 gallons of annual sales. This shifted to roughly 55 million by 1935. During this era, the propane industry witnessed major development, including constructing local branches, gas odorization, and introducing car transport by road and rail.
In 2004, the gas market experienced a significant growth of $10 billion as it expanded to various countries like Canada. Propane has consistently broadened its applications in different sectors. It holds great potential for further growth and development.
Traditional uses of propane
Propane’s traditional applications include:
Defence and protection
For a long time, communities have used propane gas as a defensive weapon to prevent attacks. By harnessing its explosive properties, they are able to start fires and create strong explosions that effectively discourage enemies.
Lighting
Propane has been a source of illumination since ancient times when some people ignited it to produce light.
Mystical and medicinal usage
Although in rare and uncertain cases, some communities used propane gas for magical and medicinal purposes. Some thought the gas could cure some diseases and eradicate negative forces, while others used it to perform various rituals.
Everlasting flames
Eternal or everlasting flames, as the term suggests, are flames initiated and kept burning endlessly as a form of infinity of something, dedication, or remembrance. It’s believed that the Temple of Apollo, Greece used propane to create everlasting flames to symbolize sacredness.
Modern uses of propane
Modern propane uses are significantly different from their counterparts due to technological advancements, while others are modifications of the old. In the 21st century, propane is used in:
Transport history
Transport is one of the significant industries that has benefited significantly from propane invention. Propane was adopted as an alternative fuel in the 1990s, becoming a major transportation fuel after diesel and gasoline. Today, many vehicles use propane globally, and the rate is increasing daily. Forklifts, buses, and fleet vehicles use propane as the primary fuel source due to its low emissions and affordability.
Residential and commercial sectors
Other areas that have applied propane to developments are the residential and commercial sectors. Propane is ideal for powering home appliances such as dryers, water heaters, cooking, and heating. Gas provides accurate temperatures for these appliances to function.
Propane is used to power space heaters and furnaces for the large-scale production of different products. Thanks to its low environmental pollution and high energy efficiency, gas is also used as a natural refrigerant in commercial and residential systems.
Agricultural sector
The agricultural sector hasn’t been left behind in embracing propane. Here, gas is used to dry crops through dryers by minimizing moisture in harvested products and drying them for sale, storage, or transportation. It is also used in propane-powered vehicles such as tractors to plow, harvest, and undertake other agricultural roles. Experts have developed propane-fueled torches for scaring away pests and other machinery for weed control.
Industrial use
Propane adoption is largely seen in the industrial sector, where manufacturers use the gas to produce different products. Industrial propane applications include welding and metal cutting, heat treatment, glass manufacturing, hardening and glazing ceramics, asphalt production, printing, and textile dyeing.
Others include chemical manufacturing, rubber production, food processing, paper production, and power generation. Propane can be used in industrial sectors in many ways due to its reliability.
Construction sector
The construction sector employs propane as an alternative fuel for machinery such as tractors or generators on site. This is to facilitate heavy-duty activities such as land levelling. The gas is also used to dry and cure construction materials like sealants, adhesives, coatings, and paint. Propane is used for pipe thawing, welding, cutting, paint stripping, and concrete curing.
