Natural And L.p. Gas Conversion; General - Whirlpool 4322452 Service Manual

NATURAL AND L.P. GAS CONVERSION

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).
RANGE TYPE
NON SELF-CLEAN
SELF-CLEAN
COOKTOPS WITH
CONVENTIONAL
BURNERS
COOKTOPS WITH
SEALED
BURNERS

GENERAL

NATURAL
CHARACTERISTICS
Colorless, Odorless, Non-Toxic, Gaseous
B.T.U./Cu. Ft. 900 to 1100
Combustion Ratio Cu.
10
Ft. Air/Cu. Ft. Gas
Operating Pressures:
Manual 8.25 PSI
Service 5" - 14" WCP
Range 4" WCP
GAS CHARACTERISTICS
Change Regulator Orifices & Air Shutters Due To Differences In Gasses
COOKTOP
REGULATOR BURNER
SPUDS
X
X
X
X
Page 5-1
PROPANE BUTANE
(Oxidizer Added)
2500 3010
24 31
Not Applicable Not Applicable
11" - 15" WCP 11" - 15" WCP
10" WCP 10" WCP
OVEN
THERMOSTAT
BURNERS
X 1
X 2
X
X
AIR
ADJUST
X X
X
X