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Chapter 2
Propane Cylinder Systems
This Chapter contains information on:
Single
Cylinder to Supply Needed Volume
(Auxiliary Heaters, Barbecue Grills and other Propane uses.)
- Cylinders must be set on firm base.
- Regulator must be securely mounted on post, building, tank, etc.
- Regulator and cylinder valve must be protected from weather by adequate
covering.
- Cylinder must be protected from being hit or tipped over if located near
traffic, animals, or etc.
- Cylinder systems must be equipped with proper downstream equipment to
deliver adequate Propane vapor to the appliance under minimum Propane pressure from the
cylinder. These systems normally require an Integral Two Stage Regulator.
- Set cylinder according to regulations, NFPA Pamphlet 58, 3-2.2.1, three
feet from opening in building that is lower than relief valve.
- Test for leaks, operating pressure and lock up. See Chapter 6 of this writing.
Dual
or Multiple Cylinders to Supply Needed Volume
(Water Heating, Cooking, Recreational or Commercial Propane uses.)
- Cylinders must be set on firm base.
- Regulator must be securely mounted on post, buildings, tank, etc.
- Regulator and cylinder valves must be protected from weather by adequate
cover.
- Cylinders must be protected from being hit or tipped over if located near
traffic, animals, etc.
- Cylinder systems must be equipped with recommended equipment to deliver
uniform Propane vapor to the downstream appliance under minimum pressure from the
cylinders. These systems normally require an Integral Two Stage Regulator, reducing the
cylinder pressure down to 11" water column or the appliance operating pressure. When
more than one cylinder is manifolded together to form a system, an Automatic Changeover
Regulator may be used to switch a full Propane cylinder when one becomes depleted.
- Set cylinders according to regulations, NFPA Pamphlet 58, 3-2.2.1, three
feet from opening in building that is lower than relief valve.
- Test for leaks, operating pressure and lockup. See Chapter 6 of this writing.
Motor Fuel
and Carburetion Applications
State Agencies have made provision for allowing Propane Motor "Fuel
Tax concessions equivalent to gasoline. Check your State laws for clarity.
Propane Carburetion produces a clean burning efficient fuel. It becomes
a fuel of choice in many indoor manufacturing locations where power is required and long
shifts exist.
LPG-E
A companion product to Propane powered equipment in FS LPG-E. Your
Propane powered customers will be pleased with these features:
- Cleans carburetion systems while the engine runs.
- Cuts maintenance costs.
- Reduces downtime.
- Improves mileage and power.
- Eliminates tank condensation.
- Lubricates top cylinder area.
- Decreases CO and other particulate exhaust emissions
LPG-E is easy to use. One gallon treats 1,280 gallon of Propane. Propane
power users can receive all the above for minimum cost.
Transferring
Propane Into Motor Fuel Cylinders
- Gravity filling or bleed-off filling is not safe nor does the State Fire
Marshall’s Office approve it. Therefore, gravity filling is not recommended as
a method of filling motor fuel containers.
- Propane vapor pumps are a method of motor fuel transfer. The vapor pump
operates by taking vapor from the motor fuel tank and using a small amount to operate the
pump piston, discharging the small amount to atmosphere. The piston pushes the balance of
the charge into the supply tank, raising the vapor pressure in the supply tank above the
vapor pressure in the motor fuel tank; therefore, the liquid will push from the supply
tank to the motor fuel tank through the liquid filling hose. The advantage of this type
pump is that electric power is not required and the pump unit can be moved from tank to
tank.
- Electric powered liquid Propane pumps are approved and recommended for
motor fuel transfer. See attached drawing for set up and equipment required for an
approved installation. They are available in gallonage transfer rates to meet any filling
requirements. Contact the GROWMARK Engineering Department of E.A.R.S. for installation and
equipment requirements.
- Regulations governing the installation of Propane supply tank for motor
fuel transfer are to be referred to NFPA Pamphlet 58, 3-2 and approval of the State Fire
Marshall’s Office.
Re-Classifying All DOT
Cylinders
Manufacturer testing of new cylinder is good for 12 years after
manufacturing. All small Propane cylinders 4 through 40 lb. (Cutting and Motor-fuel
cylinders are excluded) are required to have a Over-Fill Protection Device (OPD) Valve
installed at Cylinder Re-classification. One of three types Re-classifications are
required. Department of Transportation (DOT), Visual Inspection or Hydrostatic Testing are
the three testing methods that are available. At the end of 12 years from the date of
manufacture, which is stamped on the cylinder, each cylinder should be Re-classified
before refilling and reinstating into service. The method of Visual Cylinder inspection is
as follows:
- Using an upright stand, turn cylinder upside down and leave in this
position for 24-36 hours. This allows the Ethyl Mercaptan (odorant) to settle to the valve
end of cylinder.
- Test thickness of cylinder bottom using hammer, during 36-hour interval.
- Inspect cylinder bottom and foot-ring for rust and remove by scraping or
using a wire brush.
- Refinish bottom of cylinder and foot ring with a rust preventative
primer.
- Blow all vapor gas from cylinder after the 24-36 hour settling of Ethyl
Mercaptan and recharge cylinder with small amount of vapor, to start the purging process.
- Release pressure and repeat step five after eight hours.
- Refinish cylinder completely.
- Install Flammable Stickers, Warning Stickers and Dust Covers/POL Safety
Plugs before re-stating into service.
- Stamp on cylinder collar, a capital "E" and date which
indicates External Visual Inspection. Rust proofing of bottom and refinishing should be
done, before re-instating into service.
- Record all Re-Classification activity on a record sheet and file for record.
The above should be repeated every five (5) years thereafter as long as
the cylinder is serviceable. Cylinders need re-classification every seven (7) years if
previously re-classified using the Hydrostatic Testing method. Visual Inspections for
dents, excess rust, leaks and cylinder integrity should be preformed each time of filling.
For additional information refer to NFPA Pamphlet 58, Appendix C-3.
125
Gallon Tank or Pig System Installation
- Set tank level two concrete pads. Refer to Chapter 7.
- Set tank according to regulations, NFPA Pamphlet 58, 3-2.2.1, adjacent to
building, 5’ each from opening in building that is lower than relief valve.
- Use recommended regulators that exceed downstream BTU demand with minimum
pressure.
- Use Testing procedure, described in Chapter 6 of this writing.
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