Comparação técnica e econômica de instalações internas residenciais utilizando gás natural e gás liquefeito de petróleo

Abstract

Technological advancements in the construction industry have driven new research and methods that must be carefully evaluated by construction companies and developers. When designing residential gas installations for a project, it is essential for the designer to assess the best technical and economic solution to be implemented. Currently, the demand for natural gas has been growing significantly, reaching new consumers who previously relied on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) due to the lack of natural gas distribution networks in urban areas. With the introduction of this new fuel gas option in municipalities, it becomes crucial to analyze the differences between the two systems. This study proposes a technical and economic analysis of the internal distribution of natural gas and LPG in a residential project, utilizing the AltoQi Builder software for system sizing and generating quantity lists. Four project options were compared: two using natural gas and two using LPG. The scope of analysis also includes external networks within the private boundaries of the property, starting from the LPG central system or the urban reduction station (ERU). The budgeting and sizing results revealed that the two options using natural gas have higher costs compared to those using LPG. Specifically, the GN1S option was 37.62% more expensive than GLP1S, while GN2S was 54.19% more costly than GLP2S. These differences are directly tied to technical factors, as natural gas installations require larger pipe diameters to meet minimum pressure requirements at consumption points. Finally, the options utilizing LPG proved to be more advantageous both economically and technically for supplying consumption points. However, from an architectural perspective, implementing natural gas offers benefits such as reduced space usage within the project and easier allocation of the ERU. Based on these results, this study provides clarity on the most suitable type of fuel gas for future projects and highlights key analyses that should be conducted by construction companies and developers.