On Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:22:13 -0600 OK Don <okd...@gmail.com> wrote: > For those of you running gensets on Propane/LP - what is the fuel burn > rate? How long can you run on am 80% full 500 gal. tank?
I did some measurements of the generator set I built in Colorado I built in the late '80s, but I don't remember the results. Sorry. > I still can't decide whether to go with Propane or Diesel. I have a 500 > gal propane tank that is now only used for the grill and the small > guest house when it's really cold. > Propane is crazy expensive here, $1.60/gal, IIRC. > I've not had sucess finding comparative operations costs between the two > fuel sources. >From http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/energy.html : --------------------------------------------------------------- Fuel Energy Content & Conversions The exact values will vary depending on the quality of the fuel and in some cases the pressure. Propane 1 gallon = 91,500 BTU 1 cubic foot = 2,500 BTU 1 pound = 21,500 BTU 4.24 lbs = 1 gallon 36.39 cubic feet = 1 gallon Natural Gas 1 cubic foot = 1,050 BTU Gasoline 1 pound = 19,000 BTU 1 gallon = 125,000 BTU 1 gallon = 6.1 lbs Oils 1 gallon kerosene = 135,000 BTU 1 gallon #2 oil = 138,500 BTU 1 gallon diesel = 139,200 BTU 1 gallon #6 oil = 153,200 BTU Other Fuels (dry) 1 lb hydrogen = 51,892 BTU with steam as product 1 lb coal (anthracite) = 12,700 BTU 1 lb coal (subituminous) = 8,800 BTU 1 lb coal (bituminous) = 11,500 BTU 1 lb pine wood bark = 9,200 BTU 1 lb hardwood bark = 8,400 BTU 1 lb wood = 7,870 BTU 1 lb dung = 7,500 BTU 1 lb waste paper = 6,500 BTU 1 lb sawdust/shavings = 3,850 BTU 1 kWH electricity = 3,413 BTU 1 therm any fuel = 100,000 BTU --------------------------------------------------------------- For the fuels in question, 1 gallon diesel = 139,200 BTU 1 gallon propane = 91,500 BTU So, from an energy perspective, 1 gallon propane = 0.657 gallon diesel. With on-road diesel at $4.189/gallon and guessing road taxes to be $0.50/gallon, that gives off-road diesel at $3.689/gallon. 0.657 gallon of diesel would then cost $2.42, which makes propane at $1.60/gallon less expensive. Craig _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
