At DiSanto Propane, we are proud to offer a number of propane services for homeowners and businesses who are looking for a clean, reliable source of energy. As you might imagine, that means that we’re passionate about learning as much as we can about the product that we offer.

Whether you’re looking to make the upgrade to propane appliances or ensure that you never get trapped in a bad situation when the weather’s at its worst, DiSanto Propane provides propane gas services for homes and businesses in upstate New York. We’ve been around since 1937 and as a company that’s family-owned, we pride ourselves on knowing our industry inside and out.

That’s why in today’s post, we’d like to share a few science-y facts about propane if you’re in a learning mood. Keep reading to learn more!

What is Propane?

Let’s turn to our friends at Britannica for an in-depth definition:

“Propane, a colourless, easily liquefied, gaseous hydrocarbon (compound of carbon and hydrogen), the third member of the paraffin series following methane and ethane. It is separated in large quantities from natural gas, light crude oil, and oil-refinery gases and is commercially available as liquefied propane.”

We use it for everything from heating homes to powering appliances to grilling up some burgers and brats. Many people are interested in the facts that they need to know to keep themselves safe while using propane, so be sure to consult the owner’s manual of any of your propane-powered devices.

Bacteria Can Make Propane

A recent study has shown that “a synthetic metabolic pathway for producing renewable propane” now exists. Research done by Pauli Kallio, András Pásztor, Kati Thiel, M. Kalim Akhtar, and Patrik R. Jones has found that “the pathway is based on a thioesterase specific for butyryl-acyl carrier protein (ACP), which allows native fatty acid biosynthesis of the Escherichia coli host to be redirected towards a synthetic alkane pathway” and that “propane biosynthesis is markedly stimulated by the introduction of an electron-donating module, optimizing the balance of O2 supply and removal of native aldehyde reductases.”

If you are interested in science, you will no doubt find that this is an incredibly fascinating read. It goes into a great deal of detail regarding the methods used in this study as well as the results that occured. Science sums it up perfectly when stating that the ultimate goal is “to transfer this ability into photosynthetic bacteria, which would then be able to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into fuel.” That sounds like a wonderful investigation to us!

The Propane Bottle Rocket

Okay, first of all we have to add a quick disclaimer–under no circumstances should you make a bottle rocket out of propane. The good news is that someone else has done it, partially in the name of science, and partially just to see something cool. Once again, we’d like to reiterate that you should never try anything like this yourself. Injuries and damage to property can–and probably will–occur, as is evidenced in this video towards the end when a propane bottle rocket smashes into a window, breaking it and leaving glass shards everywhere. Seriously, just don’t try this at home.

It is interesting to note that when put into the top of a Coke bottle and turned upside down, the propane acts as a propellant. Now that your curiosity has been tended to, you won’t have to try it for yourself! After all, as IFLScience points out, the “bottle might not hit you, but its trajectory is long and unpredictable, and who knows what unexpected things it might break?” We have to say that we completely agree with that sentiment.

Searching for Home Propane Services in New York State?

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this quick look into the different sides of propane science–one being in-depth and fascinating and the other being…well, kind of silly, but also fascinating. At the end of the day, the one thing you truly need to know about propane is that it could be the perfect option for your home. From clothes dryers to kitchen appliances and more, propane is the way to go when you want clean, reliable devices that just cost less.

As a matter of fact, we even offer fixed rates to ensure that you don’t have a surprise bill. How do we do this, you ask? We want to make things as simple as possible, so we can just take your average yearly propane usage, divide it by 12, and bill you an equal amount every time. It’s easier for you to remember and it’s easier on your pocketbook. That’s a win/win.

If this sounds up your alley, then don’t hesitate to fill out our customer application form to become a customer today. Just provide us with a bit of info and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able. We look forward to hearing from you!