|
Consumer Propane Cylinders
Most consumers are familiar with propane cylinders used to fuel a gas bbq grill. There are different sizes and shapes of propane cylinders used for cooking, grilling, fireplaces, fire pit and outdoor heaters. These consumer type cylinders are commonly used in residential and agricultural applications and operate in vapor service. These propane cylinders conform to DOT (Department of Transportation) standards.
Consumer Propane Bottle Operation
Propane cylinders will only operate properly when they are vertically upright. Overfill prevention device (OPD) equipped cylinders, will allow liquid through the service valve if placed on their side or inverted. Cylinders such as these are designed for vapor service only and will create a potentially dangerous situation if placed in a position other than upright which would allow liquid propane through the service valve. Consumer propane cylinders such as these use dedicated LP Gas bottle regulators that are designed for use in low BTU appliances such as gas grills and outdoor fryers.
Consumer Propane Cylinder Dimensions
The dimensions presented below are approximate measurements of common size propane cylinders found in service today. The measurements are not exact so contact your propane company or container manufacturer for precise cylinder dimensions.
| |
20# |
30# |
40# |
100# |
| Capacity |
4.7 gal |
7.1 gal |
9.4 gal |
23.6 gal |
| Weight (empty) |
18 lbs |
24 lbs |
29 lbs |
68 lbs |
| Weight (full) |
38 lbs |
54 lbs |
70 lbs |
170 lbs |
| Overall Height |
18 inches |
24 inches |
29 inches |
48 inches |
| Diameter |
12.5 inches |
12.5 inches |
12.5 inches |
14.5 inches |
| BTU Capacity |
430,270 |
649,980 |
860,542 |
2,160,509 |
Propane Cylinder BTU Capacities
Propane cylinder BTU capacity indicates the total number of BTU's per full cylinder. This information is useful when determining the total appliance running time. Naturally, larger propane cylinders will allow for longer running times but sometimes larger cylinders are not practical for use in certain applications due to space, hose length, etc. To calculate the total propane bottle supply time, divide the total BTU's of the cylinder by the appliances BTU rating. Keep in mind that listed BTU appliance ratings indicate the total BTU load when the appliance is running at 100%. In other words, a gas grill with a listed rating of 50,000 BTU implies the grill will use 50,000 BTU's per hour when all burners are turned on running at capacity.
LP Gas Grill Safety
Propane gas appliances have become increasingly popular and often replace electric appliances. All appliance service should be performed by licensed gas appliance technicians or professional propane service personnel. When dealing with LP Gas appliances, or any appliance, the single most important thing to do is read all manufacturer instructions and requirements accompanying the appliance. Failure to heed LP Gas appliance warnings and instructions can lead to property damage, fire or bodily injury.
Propane Appliance Installation
Propane gas appliances available today can be purchased through department stores, hardware stores and on the internet and in many cases, can be installed by homeowners. However, failing to adhere to manufacturers installation requirements can lead to extremely hazardous circumstances such as fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. It is imperative that your propane company be aware of any appliance you install or replace. In many cases, propane companies will send a service technician to install your appliance for you but if you perform the installation yourself, inform your propane company of the appliance installation. You and your family will be protected and any necessary changes in the propane system can be addressed by a licensed propane technician to ensure trouble free operation of the new appliance. Additionally and most importantly, gas appliances must be installed to properly work in unison with appliance service connections and flue gas ventilation systems.
Buying LP Gas Appliances
Tremendous availability of gas appliances in today's marketplace allows consumers to easily choose and buy their own gas heaters, water heaters and other propane powered appliances. Caution should be exercised when shopping for these appliances because the application for which the appliance is intended should be matched accordingly. For instance, a vented LP Gas space heater can't replace an unvented heater unless ventilation has been properly installed.
Consumers interested in buying used gas appliances should be aware that connecting a natural gas appliance to a propane gas system can result in fire or property damage. Prior to placing an appliance purchased as "used", the user should first should contact the appliance manufacturer or their propane provider. Failure to consult a licensed propane professional or gas appliance technician before installing a used gas appliance can place your family in danger. This includes but is not limited to water heaters, space heaters, gas dryers, gas ranges or portable heating equipment. All used gas appliances should be inspected and tested prior to use.
Propane Appliance Service, Repair and Maintenance
All repairs and maintenance of propane gas appliances should be performed by licensed professionals. Certain minor repairs can be undertaken by the end user but attempting to open appliances or modify gas appliance operation can severely damage the inner workings of the appliance or cause (you guessed it) property damage, fire or bodily injury. There are times when an appliance technician will state that the propane company needs to address the problem but the primary focus of the propane company is to ensure that the gas supply to the appliance inlet is at the proper flow rate and the pressure is optimal as required by the appliance manufacturers instructions. In a situation such as this, have the appliance technician speak directly with the propane company service department. Together, they can troubleshoot problems and arrive at the best solution based on their respective areas of expertise.
You are an Adult. Please be responsible with your actions. Do not attempt maintenance or repairs that should be performed by a liscensed professional
|
|