When liquid propane is released to the atmosphere, what is the expansion ratio?

When liquid propane is released into the atmosphere, it undergoes a significant phase change from a liquid to a gas. The expansion ratio refers to the volume of gas that can be produced from a specific volume of liquid propane as it vaporizes.

Propane has an expansion ratio of approximately 270:1 when it turns from liquid to gas at standard atmospheric conditions. This means that one gallon of liquid propane can produce about 270 gallons of gaseous propane when it evaporates. Such a high expansion ratio is due to the differences in density between the liquid and gaseous states of propane.

The correct answer highlights the substantial volume increase that occurs with propane, which has implications for safety and handling, especially in scenarios involving leaks or spills where rapid vaporization can lead to increased pressure and potential hazards. Understanding this ratio helps in the planning and management of propane storage, transport, and usage.