Propane is a hydrocarbon gas that is primarily derived from natural gas processing and crude oil refining. It is also produced as a byproduct of certain chemical processes.
The process of producing propane from natural gas involves separating the various components of the natural gas stream, including methane, ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. This is typically done using a process called fractional distillation, in which the natural gas is cooled and then heated again, causing the different components to vaporize at different temperatures and be collected separately.
Propane can also be produced as a byproduct of refining crude oil. In this process, crude oil is heated and the various components are separated using a process called cracking.
Once propane is separated and collected, it is then compressed and stored in tanks, from where it is transported to various locations for use as a fuel source or a raw material for other chemical products.