Filling Propane Tanks
Over the past few years whenever I take my propane tanks from my trailer to be filled, the person doing the filling always opened a vent on the tank valve with a screwdriver as he/she was adding propa...
Forum Discussion
ktmrfs wrote:dougrainer wrote:owenssailor wrote:
At the places I have filled tanks in Canada it has always been by weight. In the US it has always been done using the screwed out vent valve.
Using the vent valve is a much better option id filling a tank that is not completely empty since the propane is metered.
Not True. Certain States, (Texas is one) have extensive STATE rules for Natural and LP Gas. IF some of the posters that do not believe WEIGHT is the safest way, they need to RESEARCH the subject before claiming weight is not needed. I have been Licensed By the RAILROAD COMMISSION for 38 years in the State of Texas. I am licensed to WORK on LP systems and to FILL Tanks and Bottles. This is who regulates LP in the state. We have to go for training before you get Licensed and we have to go for training every 3 years to keep you current. They always bring up actual stories and Pics of what happens when a DOT tank is overfilled and conditions cause it to vent due to too much liquid. Does not always happen obviously, but when it does you do not want to be around. Doug
Since LPG can be a mixture of propane, butane and isobutane, all of which have different specific gravities, how does this affect a fill by weight?
I am not aware of BUTANE being retailed in the USA anymore. Mexico, yes. Isobutane,is used as a refrigerant. Do not know who would fill or if you can have containers that can be refilled . Butane has gone away because it does not function well in very cold climates. They used to produce Butane in the summer and LP in the winter, but like I stated, not aware of any retailer that can get or would sell Butane in the USA. Weight of Butane is 4.86 lb per gallon. Weight of LP is 4.23 lb per gallon. So, you can get MORE LP liquid volume in a DOT cylinder than Butane liquid volume. LPG is NOT a mixture of various gases. Each variant (LP/Butane/Isobutane) is produced and not mixed at the Oil refinery. That does not mean local retailers will contaminate their existing storage containers with mixed fuel. Not smart. Doug
