Comparison of Natural Gas Heating and LPG Gas Heating in Continuous Furnaces

In continuous heat treatment furnaces, natural gas heating offers advantages over LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) heating, here is a detailed analysis:

Environmental Friendliness

• Natural Gas Heating: Natural gas, primarily composed of methane, produces fewer pollutants upon combustion, meeting modern industrial environmental requirements.

• LPG Heating: LPG, mainly consisting of butane and propane, while having high combustion efficiency, may generate more pollutants in its combustion products compared to natural gas.

Thermal Efficiency

• Natural Gas Heating: Natural gas has high combustion efficiency and fast heating speeds, enhancing production efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Especially when flue gas waste heat is utilized to preheat air or heat tempering furnaces and quenching oil, the absolute thermal utilization rate can exceed 70%.

• LPG Heating: LPG also has a high calorific value, but its thermal efficiency may be slightly lower than that of natural gas in continuous heat treatment furnaces, particularly without waste heat recovery technology.

Operating Costs

• Natural Gas Heating: Natural gas is one of the most convenient and economical fuels, with heating costs typically around 55% of those for electric heating. Additionally, the well-developed natural gas pipeline network ensures stable supply, further reducing operating costs.

• LPG Heating: Although LPG can also be used as a fuel for heat treatment furnaces, its costs may be significantly influenced by market price fluctuations. Moreover, LPG requires transportation and storage in liquefied gas cylinders, which may add to the costs.

Safety

• Natural Gas Heating: Natural gas heating furnaces require enhanced safety management to prevent accidents such as gas leaks and explosions. However, with continuous technological advancements and improved safety management measures, the safety of natural gas heating furnaces has significantly improved.

• LPG Heating: LPG also requires attention to safety issues, especially during storage and transportation. Although the canned form of LPG facilitates transportation and storage, it also increases the risk of leaks and explosions.

Applicability

• Natural Gas Heating: Natural gas heating furnaces are suitable for industrial heating and heat treatment applications requiring high precision, efficiency, and environmental friendliness, such as in the aerospace, military, automotive manufacturing, and machining sectors.

• LPG Heating: LPG heating furnaces may be more appropriate for regions or scenarios with relatively lower environmental requirements or where natural gas supply is inconvenient.