Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:07:17 +0000
By KWALI MFUNI
INTRODUCTION
LIQUEFIED Petroleum Gas (LPG) which is commonly known as Gas is an energy source increasingly being used in Zambia’s household and commercial kitchens.
Used for various activities, LPG is prominently used for cooking, heating and as a transportation fuel in heavy trucks and forklift vehicles. It is also popular for cooking in many parts of the world, including countries within the sub region such as Kenya, Botswana and Namibia although it has been generally shunned in Zambia.
For many years Ndola residents grew accustomed to seeing LPG being flared at Indeni before the Kenyan market snapped up the gas. Safety concerns and perceived costs have been some of the key issues that made promotion of this energy a challenge.
Safety issues tended to overshadow the benefits of LPG until the recent power shortage forced many to revisit its use and benefits. Prior to the unprecedented load shedding, there was no push for consumers to look for alternative cooking solutions. However the reality of limited power sent scores of consumers to shopping malls and other outlets selling gas cooking implements. Going by the number of people who queued up in shops to acquire gas stoves, safety issues seemed to have been shelved.
Many were actually pleasantly surprised by the benefits and experience of using one, two or four-plate gas cookers which no doubt met their energy needs. Once consumers get past the safety phobia of using gas for cooking – the results speak for themselves which demonstrates why gas is the preferred cooking energy in the hospitality industry.
SAFETY ISSUES:
LPG is a fossil fuel closely linked to oil, found underground and is either extracted directly from the Earth or is manufactured during the refining process. It is a mixture of two flammable, but non-toxic gases namely propane and butane.
This gas is no less dangerous than any other energy source such as electricity. Precautionary measures are always taken when handling an energy source such as electricity or charcoal. Hence, similarly gas can be used safely and handled in keeping with safety features and measures such as:
LPG has been laced with a smell for easy detection in the event of an accidental leakage
Proper storage of gas cylinder and fitting of the pipes
Keep windows open to ventilate your kitchen
Some gas stoves are fitted with self-ignitors which ensure that the gas is burnt thus avoiding an accidental leakage.
Observe general safety requirements to avoid an accidental fire such as:
Turn pan handles away from the flame
Never leave your cooking unattended to. The liquid in your cooking pot could overflow and extinguish the burners, causing gas leak.
Once the safety concerns have been addressed the benefits of using gas for cooking are evident as indicated below:
BENEFITS OF COOKING WITH LPG
Using LPG has many benefits as promoted by the World LPG Association (WLPGA). The Association, which is the global authoritative voice for LPG, promotes LPG use because it is a cleaner, safer, environmentally friendly and efficient alternative. Some benefits of LPG include the following:
i. Clean flame and Smoke Free
The gas has no smoke or residue as is typical in other sources like charcoal. In addition, it does not emit any dangerous gases and as such can be safely used for cooking indoors.
ii. Easy and quick start up
It has a quick start up – the flame is instant once lit. One does not need to wait for a few minutes for the plate to heat up as is typical for electricity or even charcoal.
iii. Flame intensity can be better controlled than electricity
Flame intensity and control is much better than electricity. The heat can be more accurately regulated to the required quantity.
iv. It’s more efficient
It’s more efficient because the heat is readily available when you need it and instantly switches off when not in use. Unlike an electric stove that takes some time to heat the plate and also wastes heat when the cooking is done as the plate continues to be hot.
v. Works without electricity
Perhaps one of the best advantages of gas is that even when there is load shedding cooking will go on undisrupted. In addition, LPG can be used in areas not connected to the Grid such as rural areas, national parks and farming communities.
vi. Portable and Multi-purpose
Gas is also portable and can be moved to use both indoor and outdoor.
OTHER USES OF LPG
In addition to cooking, LPG can be used for other activities as indicated below:
Refrigeration
Another use is as a refrigerant. Propane gas and butane gas are used to make hydrocarbon refrigerants. Hydrocarbons are known to be more energy efficient and cheaper than other chemicals, which is why it is suitable to be used as refrigerants.
Heating
Believe it or not, LPG and renewable energy can work side by side – especially in colder seasons such as winter, when there is lack of sunlight for a solar panel to generate enough power for heating especially in areas where there is no electricity. At these times, LPG can be used as a back-up or secondary fuel in generating the energy for the household. For example, in order to heat water in winter, LPG is used alongside a solar panel to provide enough energy for this purpose. LPG is an ideal power source for a rural population, either as a primary source or, increasingly, in combination with renewable fuels. It provides an alternative to traditional rural heating fuels such as electricity and kerosene/paraffin.
Motor Fuel
With some mechanical modifications, LPG can also be used as fuel, especially for vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. It burns cleaner than petrol and diesel.
COMMERCIAL USES
LPG can also be used at a Commercial level in the following ways:
Heating
Mining / Smelters / Furnaces
Fabrication – cutting, welding and heating
Chicken Brooding – heating / Boilers
Curing of tobacco / Drying produce
Packaging / Manufacturing processes requiring heat
Laboratories: Heating
Cooking: Hotels, Restaurants
Road Construction: Heating Bitumen
TIPS ON STORAGE OF LPG
In order to prevent accidents, the following steps should be adopted:
Keep away from flammable materials, staircases, exits et cetera.
Where LPG is used for heating and lighting, access/security and good ventilation (preferably open air) are important considerations.
Always keep the LPG valve/regulator switched off when your gas stove/oven is not in use, especially at night and when going on a holiday.
Always store the LPG cylinder in an upright position and away from other combustible and flammable materials
Check for gas leaks regularly by applying soap solution on cylinder joints. The appearance of soap bubbles indicates leak points. Do not use open flame to detect leaks.
Make sure all parts of the installation are in good condition. If you should find anything wrong with any part, contact your distributor immediately and ask for assistance.
SUPPLY OF LPG
A full list of companies that are licensed by the Energy Regulation Board to supply LPG in Zambia is posted on the website www.erb.org.
CHALLENGES TO GAS USE IN ZAMBIA
The use of LPG is not dominant in Zambia for a number of reasons such as lack of awareness regarding its benefits, safety concerns and costs. In recognition of these challenges, which hinder the use of LPG in Zambia, particularly in view of unforeseen outages consumers cannot continue to ignore Gas as an alternative and practical energy source. To this effect, a number of awareness and promotion initiatives have been put in place involving a cross section of players such as Government as well as service providers.
Consequently, the ERB is in the process of developing guidelines to promote the expansion of this sector including increased access to Gas countrywide.
Energy consumers cannot afford to shun LPG any more – it is the ideal cooking energy with many benefits including efficiency and convenience. Many argue about its safety but the same can be said for electricity which if not properly handled could lead to danger. At the end of the day, energy consumers need to have a mindset shift and consider including this energy source to their home energy mix. Try gas you just might be pleasantly surprised and wonder why you did not try it earlier. – The author is Public Relations Manager at ERB. For comments/contributions email: erb@erb.org.zm
