Liquefied petroleum gas

LPG is a kind of colourless, odourless gas. Varieties of LPG bought and sold include mixes that are primarily propane (C3H8), primarily butane (C4H10) and, most commonly, mixes including both propane and butane. Propylene, butylenes and various other hydrocarbons are usually also present in small concentrations. A powerful odorant, ethanethiol, is added so that leaks can be detected easily. LPG is not toxic but there are two main hazards. The first are possible explosions if there is an ignition source. The second is suffocation due to LPG displacing air, causing a decrease in oxygen concentration.

LPG is synthesised by refining petroleum or "wet" natural gas and is almost entirely derived from fossil fuel sources. It is manufactured during the refining of petroleum (crude oil), or extracted from petroleum or natural gas streams as they emerge from the ground.

LPG is mainly used as household, commercial and industrial fuel, auto gas, and petrochemical feedstock.

In 2011 most LPG in China was used as household fuel, 54.3% in total. Industrial demand comprised 31.1%, including traditional industrial use and petrochemical feedstock use. Commercial demand accounted for 12.2% while the remaining 2.4% was used for auto gas.