LP gas (propane gas) is a highly flammable gas.

Ethyl Mercaptan is used as the odourant which allows the LPG vapour to be smelt.

It results in a slight smell similar to rotten cabbages so as to alert one of leaks at a level way below its Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).

The lower & upper levels are tabled below & explain why LPG is so dangerous since the range is quite low being only 1.7% to 10.9%

Table 1.

  LEL/LFL UEL/UFL Ignition Temp
Propane (C3H8) 1.7% volume in air 10.9% volume in air 470 °C

Colourless and odourless and an asphyxiante so particular care needs to be taken with this gas.

This naturally means a room with a few percent  of LPG together with an ignition source would be an extremely dangerous situation to enter.

Ethyl mercaptan is added to LPG as an an odourant so that generally it can be smelt if leaking. The smell is however subtle & often not immediately detected by users of the gas.

Most users of the  gas describe the smell as smelling like either rotten eggs or rotten cabbage.

At a density of 1.9 kg/m3 (1.58 relative to air at normal atmospheric conditions) it is markedly denser than air so it is potentially extremely dangerous in low points and this aspect has resulted in some spectacular incidents in still cold air.

Applications

A clean burning fuel for,

  • Automobiles & fork lifts
  • Grillers and stoves
  • BBQs stationary & portable
  • Heating
Product Overview

LP gas (propane gas) is a highly flammable gas.

Ethyl Mercaptan is used as the odourant which allows the LPG vapour to be smelt.

It results in a slight smell similar to rotten cabbages so as toalert one of leaks at a level way below its Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).

The lower & upper levels are tabled below & explain why LPG is so dangerous since the range is quite low being only 1.7% to 10.9%

Table 1.

  LEL/LFL UEL/UFL Ignition Temp
Propane (C3H8) 1.7% volume in air 10.9% volume in air 470 °C

Colourless and odourless and an asphyxiante so particular care needs to be taken with this gas.

This naturally means a room with a few percent  of LPG together with an ignition source would be an extremely dangerous situation to enter.

Ethyl mercaptan is added to LPG as an an odourant so that generally it can be smelt if leaking. The smell is however subtle & often not immediately detected by users of the gas.

Most users of the  gas describe the smell as smelling like either rotten eggs or rotten cabbage.

At a density of 1.9 kg/m3 (1.58 relative to air at normal atmospheric conditions) it is markedly denser than air so it is potentially extremely dangerous in low points and this aspect has resulted in some spectacular incidents in still cold air.

Applications

A clean burning fuel for,

  • Automobiles & fork lifts
  • Grillers and stoves
  • BBQs stationary & portable
  • Heating

 

Hazards

  • As mentioned in the Product Overview, LPG is highly flammable as well as heavier than air making it a higher risk for fire hazards where ther are pits or low lying area.
Cylinder Sizes

Specifications

9 kg

15 kg

45 kg

210 kg

Contents weight (kg)

9

15

45

210

Cylinder water capacity (L)

 

36

110

500

Cylinder charging pressure (MPa @ 14 °C)

0.638

0.638

(91 psi)

0.638

(91 psi)

0.638

(91 psi)

Cylinder dimension H x D (mm)

 

680 x 310

1264 x 374

1450 x 760

Cylinder colour

Silver

Cylinder connection type

Type 21

1.75“ Acme

 

Variations in the dimensions and weight of the cylinder can be expected due to manufacturing tolerances. The weight and the pressure of the gas-filled will be as specified.

The volume and the pressure of the contained gas in the cylinders will be as specified in  the above table.

Important Info

CYLINDER HANDLING AND STORAGE

  • Store, handle & transport in an upright position per the illustration below.
  • Gas cylinders (particularly the larger VT, F & G ) can be unstable on broken or unstable ground & must be stored in pallets or racks when not in use & secured when in use by a strap or chain against a wall or secured by a suitable trolley with chain or strap.
  • Use appropriate materials for chains. e.g. plastic coated wire cable, commercial straps, with tensioners,… etc., to secure cylinders.
  • Gas cylinders should not be stored in public hallways or other unprotected areas
  • Store in a well ventilated appropriate area and out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat and ignition; temperatures must not exceed 50 °C.
  • Cylinders should be protected from damage. Do not store cylinders near elevators or gangways, or in locations where heavy-moving objects may strike or fall on them or knock the cylinder over.
  • Cylinders must be stored on surfaces such as suitably drained concrete to prevent the base of the cylinder from rusting from standing in puddles for long periods. Cylinders should be stored, secured in premises to protect them from theft & against tampering by unauthorized individuals.
  • Storage areas must be well-ventilated, cool, dry, and free from corrosive materials.
  • Make sure the cylinder when used is matched with the correct regulator and end connectors and of appropriate pressure rating.
  • Inspect the regulator and cylinder valve connections to make sure that they are not contaminated with grease, oil, dirt, water or solvents. Never use grease or oil to lubricate regulators or cylinder valves as this will contaminate the gas.
  • Open (Anti clockwise looking down at the hand wheel, directional arrows are on the hand wheel.)

or close a cylinder valve (Clockwise looking down at the hand wheel, directional arrows are on the hand wheel.) 

by hand using moderate torque to open or close them.  Too much closing torque can damage the cylinder valve seat.

Only use set spanners or specific tools that are provided by the cylinder supplier to connect accessories.

Multi-grips should never be used.

Some regulators require a sealing washer in or on the inlet spigot.

Check that this is present before fitting the regulator to the cylinder valve outlet

 

 

Handling leaks

  1. Leaks are detected by odour (Which is well below the LEL*) & then pinpointed per point 5 below.
  2. If closing the Cylinder Valve does not stop the leak, then relocate the cylinder to a safer well ventilated or outdoor location to allow the leaking gas to escape so as not build up to a dangerous level.

i.e. Per Puregas Safety Guidelines.

  1. Do not enter an area with high gas leakages without proper PPE or safety equipment.
  2. Approach the leak only if qualified to do so.
  3. Use readily available techniques like the soap bubble method to detect the leak.
  4. Return the empty cylinder if the leak persists or after the gas has been safely vented.
  5. Make sure the cylinder is properly tagged indicating the nature, location & date of the leak together with a contact name & phone number for follow up by the gas supplier.

* Lower Explosive Limit