my440 wrote:
Changed out empty propane tank on the Big Buddy heater last night and burnt my hand from the released propane squirt. Great idea to wear gloves. Oh boy did that hurt for a minute turning my fingers white.
You must have a larger tank with the simpler, old-fashioned POL valve, versus smaller tanks with the newer OPD valve. The OPD valves have an internal valve that prevents the release of propane if it doesn't have a connector attached. (As much as I dislike OPD valves, this is one of the things I appreciate about them.)
Physiologically, the effects of frostbite on skin is very similar to heat burns.
The rapid expansion of any compressed gas draws heat from the surrounding area and surfaces. The vaporization of liquefied gas draws even more heat in the process, resulting in significantly subzero temperatures. (The temperature drop is enough to prevent flammable gases from igniting until they vaporize and decompress.)
Any liquefied gas can cause severe frostbite, on a par with second- and third-degree burns. This includes, but not limited to, liquid petroleum gas (LPG, aka propane), liquid natural gas (LNG), tanks of compressed oxygen, refrigerant (A/C, refrigerator, and freezer coolant), etc.
Note: Because of its weird, unstable nature, acetylene tends to explode under rapid decompression ... which is one of the reasons it's so dangerous.
Propane regulators and similar devices serve to prevent this rapid vaporization and decompression.
So, yes, gloves ... and a lot of care ... are a very good idea when dealing with any liquefied gas.
(As a final note: gasoline is actually more dangerous than propane. So, if you're wary of propane, you should be really scared of gasoline.)
