Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Compositional Characterization and Energy Quality Assessment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas from Retail Gas Plants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Igwe, Ikechi Agala, Wisdom Emmanuel, Wadike, Seth Uba

Abstract

Liquefied petroleum gas is widely adopted as a clean and efficient domestic energy source in Nigeria, yet concerns regarding its quality and safety remain. This study aimed to characterize LPG from fifteen selected gas plants in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by analyzing its chemical composition, calorific value, and compliance with national standards. LPG samples were collected in airtight containers and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for hydrocarbon content and trace impurities, while calorific values were determined with a digital bomb calorimeter. The analysis revealed that the LPG was predominantly composed of propane (65–83% v/v) and butane (16–32% v/v), with minor amounts of methane, ethane, water vapor, and oxygen. Measured calorific values ranged from 42 to 59 MJ/kg, with most samples meeting Standards Organization of Nigeria and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority specifications. A few samples exhibited slightly lower energy content, indicating the need for closer monitoring. The results demonstrate that LPG supplied by the selected plants is suitable for domestic cooking and heating, while highlighting minor inconsistencies in composition and energy yield. These findings underscore the importance of continuous quality assurance to ensure combustion efficiency, consumer safety, and confidence in LPG as a reliable clean energy source.

Keywords

LPGGas compositionGC–MS analysisEnergy QualitySON standardsDomestic FuelClean Energy.

References

Adewale, A. O., Ojo, S. M., & Adebayo, K. T. (2020). Physicochemical assessment of liquefied petroleum gas from selected retail outlets in Benin City, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 14(3), 134–142. Agboola, O. M., Nwulu, N. I., Egelioglu, F., & Agboola, O. P. (2011). Gas flaring in Nigeria: Opportunity for household cooking utilization. International Journal of Thermal & Environmental Engineering, 2(2), 69–74. American Petroleum Institute. (2021). LPG production and quality control manual (4th ed.). API. American Society for Testing and Materials. (2022). ASTM D1835: Standard specification for liquefied petroleum gases. ASTM International. American Society for Testing and Materials. (2023). Advances in LPG quality monitoring technologies (ASTM Special Technical Publication 1625). ASTM International. André, D. N. (2021). Cooking gas distribution to Rivers State homes: Case study of Choba community. European Journal of Engineering and Technology Research, 6(4), 77–82. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejers.2021.6.4.2442 Badmus, I., Fagbenle, R. O., & Oyewola, O. M. (2013). Fuel-mix and energy utilization analysis of Port Harcourt Refining Company, Nigeria. Energy Science & Engineering, 1(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.12 Desalu, O. O., Ojo, O. O., Ariyibi, E. K., Kolawole, T. F., & Ogunleye, A. I. (2012). A community survey of the pattern and determinants of household sources of energy for cooking in rural and urban southwestern Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal, 12, Article 2. Deutsches Institut für Normung. (2021). DIN 51622: Specifications for LPG. DIN. Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. (2004). Nigeria LP gas sector improvement study. World Bank. Fakinle, B. S., Sonibare, J. A., & Akeredolu, F. A. (2019). Emission characterization and performance of conventional liquefied petroleum gas cookstove burners. Cogent Engineering, 6(1), 1652228. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2019.1652228 Hammeed, G. A., Orifah, M. O., Ijeoma, M. C., & Tijani, S. A. (2016). Assessment of the use of liquefied petroleum gas as cooking energy source among rural households in Badagry area of Lagos State. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 18(1), 16–28. HYDROCIS. (2023). Nigeria LPGas annual report 2023: Insights and analysis. LPG in Nigeria. Igwe, I., Gholinezhad, J., & Hassan, M. (2022). The effect of equations of state on the performances of compositional grading models. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 44(1), 1126-1138. Igwe, I., Gholinezhad, J., Hassan Sayed, M. G., & Ogbuagu, F. (2020). Technical implications of neglecting compositional grading effects in petroleum reservoir simulation models. Energy & Fuels, 34(2), 1467-1481. Igwe, I., & Taylor, P. T. (2023). Performance Evaluation of Experimental and Simulated Constant Volume Depletion Tests on Gas Condensate Reservoir Fluid. Journal of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, 24(2), 40-46. Igwe, I., & Ujile, A. A. (2015). Performance evaluation of experimental and simulated differential liberation tests on reservoir fluid. International Journal of Engineering Research, 6(6), 1017-1023. International Energy Agency. (2022). The future of LPG in clean cooking solutions. IEA. International Organization for Standardization. (2021). ISO 9162: Petroleum products— LPG—Specifications. ISO. Johnson, M., & Patel, R. (2021). Field versus laboratory analysis of LPG quality variations. Energy & Fuels, 35(8), 6789–6802. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c00876 Mohammed, A. M., Ibrahim, T. U., & Sani, M. (2019). Compositional analysis and quality assessment of liquefied petroleum gas in Kaduna metropolis. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, 18(2), 45–55. National Fire Protection Association. (2023). NFPA 58: Liquefied petroleum gas code. NFPA. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2022). Appliance performance as a function of LPG quality parameters (NREL/TP-5400-80912). NREL. Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. (2022). Regulatory framework and guidelines for LPG quality assurance. NMDPRA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2020). Safety standards for LPG handling and storage (OSHA 1910.110). OSHA. Oke, D. O., Fakinle, B. S., Sonibare, J. A., & Akeredolu, F. A. (2020). Evaluation of emission indices and air quality implications of liquefied petroleum gas burners. Heliyon, 6(8), e04755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04755 Okoro, E. A., Eze, B. N., & Nwankwo, F. O. (2021). Effect of storage conditions on the quality of liquefied petroleum gas. International Journal of Fuel Science and Technology, 9(4), 201–210. Olalekan, J. A., Ayoola, A. F., & Adepoju, M. O. (2020). Safety implications of adulterated cooking gas in Lagos State: A compositional and contaminant profile study. Journal of Chemical and Environmental Safety, 12(1), 77–89. Oladipo, O. G., & Fagbohun, F. (2021). Quality assessment of LPG in Nigeria: Implications for safety and efficiency. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(1), 223–230. Ozoh, O. B., Okwor, T. J., Adetona, O., Akinkugbe, A. O., Amadi, C. E., Esezobor, C., Adeyeye, O. O., Ojo, O., Nwude, V. N., & Mortimer, K. (2018). Cooking fuels in Lagos, Nigeria: Factors associated with household choice of kerosene or liquefied petroleum gas . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(4), 641. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15040641 Standards Organisation of Nigeria. (2022). Standards for liquefied petroleum gas : Specification and safety requirements. SON. United Nations Development Programme. (2023). Simplified LPG quality testing for developing nations. UNDP. World Health Organization. (2023). Indoor air quality implications of LPG combustion products. WHO. World LPG Association. (2022). Global LPG quality assessment: Identifying research gaps. WLPGA. World LPG Association. (2023). Global LPG industry standards and best practices. WLPGA. Zhang, Y., et al. (2023). Advanced analytical techniques for comprehensive LPG characterization. Fuel Processing Technology, 241, 107612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2022.107612

More Articles from RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Advances In NLP-Driven Analytics for Automated Detection of Regulatory Liabilities in High-Volume Contracts

Author: Ngonadi Uchechi, Michael Ominyi, Ngozi Samuel Uzougbo, Blessing Chika Jones,, USA

Resilient Test Automation Framework for Microservices: Addressing Integration, Scalability, and Reliability

Author: Awonowo Olusegun Oriyomi,, Anrinnle Qowiu Olaoluwa, Lawal Ahmed Oladimeji, Babayemi Temitayo Matthew, Azubuike Marvelous Onyedikachukwu, Olomu Ayomide Babatunde, Omitogun Ayomide Elijah