Whirlpool 4322452 manual Natural and L.P. GAS Conversion, General

NATURAL AND L.P. GAS CONVERSION

GENERAL

Ranges must be adjusted when going from one type of fuel to another due to the characteristics of the gases. This means that, for efficient combustion, air must be mixed with the gas. The amount of air to be mixed with the amount of gas is called the air-to-gas ratio. The combustion ratio is different between natural and L.P. gas. L.P. gas requires much more air (24:1) to be mixed with it than natural gas (10:1).

Also, there are differences in caloric values between the gasses. When a cubic foot of L.P. gas is burned, it produces much more heat than the same volume of natural gas. This is why the burner orifices must be changed to restrict the gas flow when converting to L.P. use. In other words, the range uses less fuel and more air with L.P. gas to create the same amount of heat with natural gas.

L.P. gas is also distributed and used at higher pressure (11" WCP) than natural gas (4" WCP). This is why the pressure regulator must be converted when changing from natural gas to L.P. operation (refer to the following chart).

NATURAL PROPANE BUTANE

CHARACTERISTICS

Colorless, Odorless, Non-Toxic, Gaseous

(Oxidizer Added)

B.T.U./Cu. Ft.	900 to 1100	2500	3010
Combustion Ratio Cu.	10	24	31
Ft. Air/Cu. Ft. Gas
Operating Pressures:
Manual	8.25 PSI	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Service	5" - 14" WCP	11" - 15" WCP	11" - 15" WCP
Range	4" WCP	10" WCP	10" WCP

GAS CHARACTERISTICS

Change Regulator Orifices & Air Shutters Due To Differences In Gasses

		COOKTOP	OVEN		AIR
RANGE TYPE	REGULATOR	BURNER		THERMOSTAT
			BURNERS		ADJUST
		SPUDS
NON SELF-CLEAN	X	X	1	X	X
SELF-CLEAN	X	X	2		X
COOKTOPS WITH
CONVENTIONAL	X	X			X
BURNERS
COOKTOPS WITH
SEALED	X	X
BURNERS

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