542 MINERALS YEARBOOK

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES

 The production of liquefied petroleum gases as byproducts of natural-gasoline
manufacture has increased rapidly in recent years. The suitability of these
gases for domestic fuels, for use in conjunction with gas manufacturing,
and for special fuels in diversified industries has led to wide expansion
of the liquefied petroleum-gas industry. At present, however, the available
supply greatly exceeds market requirements.
 In 1932, 33,630,000 gallons of propane, butane, pentane, and propane-butane
mixtures were marketed, representing an increase of approximately 5,000,000
gallons (17 percent) above that recorded in 1931. A marked increase in the
utilization of liquefied petroleum gases for gas manufacturing accounted
for nearly all the gam in total sales during the year. Nearly all of the
output came from naturalgasoline plants, although some refinery productk~n
was marketed.
 The market for propane is predominantly domestic utilization for fuel in
areas beyond the range of present gas-distributing systems. In 1932 the domestic
market for propane totaled 14,570,392 gallons compared with a consumption
of 257,407 gallons in gas-manufacturing and 354,072 gallons for industrial
and miscellaneous purposes.
 Although some propane is shipped in tank cars, tank wagons, or pipe lines,
by far the largest quantity is marketed in steel cylinders, and therefore
it is commonly referred to as "bottled gas." Of the total marketed production
of propane in 1932 (15,181,871 gallons), 13,416,567 gallons were shipped
in cylinders or drums, and 1,765,304 gallons were shipped in tank cars, tank
wagons, or pipe lines. The demand for propane during the year was only slightly
above that recorded in 1931. The number of "bottled gas" customers is estimated
at 160,000.
 The principal market for butane is in industry, where it is used in conjunction
with gas manufacturing for gas enrichment and for supplying additional volume
to meet peak loads in gas systems; as a source of gas supply in localities
to which other types of gas service are not available; and as a fuel for
special heating requirements in manufacturing. In 1932 the market for butane
in gas manufacturing totaled 7,225,851 gallons (approximately one half the
total demand). There is also a growing demand for butane as an industrial
fuel and other miscellaneous applications, and during the year this outlet
consumed 7,353,856 gallons. The total demand for butane was 14,661,688 gallons,
of which 14,658,737 gallons were shipped in tank cars, tank wagons, or pipe
lines and only 2,951 gallons in cylin.. ders or drums.
 Propane-butane mixtures, including some pentane, amounting to 3,786,677
gallons also were marketed in domestic, gas-manufacturing, and industrial
channels.
 The communities served by butane-air gas plants or through the distribution
of undiluted gases at the close of 1932 represent a net gain of 16 ever the
188 reproted at the close of the preceding year.