Propane Issues

[rick_debbie_gallant]

I have included two different "rate of evaporation charts". One is for a 20lb tank and the other a 30 lb tank. My point I was trying to make in an earlier post was simply "the colder the ambient air temp the less gas vapor will be produced" for use in various devices.

30 Lb. Cylinder
BTU Available at:

% FULL +20° 0° -5° -10° -15°
60% 50,400 25,200 17,850 11,900 5,950
50% 45,360 22,680 17,010 11,340 5,670
40% 40,320 20,160 15,960 10,640 5,320
30% 35,280 17,640 14,630 10,220 4,410
30 Lb. Cylinder
BTU Available at:

% FULL +20° 0° -5° -10° -15°
60% 50,400 25,200 17,850 11,900 5,950
50% 45,360 22,680 17,010 11,340 5,670
40% 40,320 20,160 15,960 10,640 5,320
30% 35,280 17,640 14,630 10,220 4,410
20% 30,240 15,120 11,340 7,560 3,780
10% 22,680 11,340 8,505 5,670 2,835


20 Lb. Cylinder
BTU Available at:

% FULL +20° 0° -5° -10° -15°
60% 36,000 18,000 12,750 8,500 4,250
50% 32,400 16,200 12,150 8,100 4,050
40% 28,800 14,400 11,400 7,600 3,800
30% 25,200 12,600 10,450 7,300 3,150
20% 21,600 10,800 8,100 5,400 2,700
10% 16,200 8,100 6,075 4,050 2,025
10% 22,680 11,340 8,505 5,670 2,835


20 Lb. Cylinder
BTU Available at:

% FULL +20° 0° -5° -10° -15°
60% 36,000 18,000 12,750 8,500 4,250
50% 32,400 16,200 12,150 8,100 4,050
40% 28,800 14,400 11,400 7,600 3,800
30% 25,200 12,600 10,450 7,300 3,150
20% 21,600 10,800 8,100 5,400 2,700
10% 16,200 8,100 6,075 4,050 2,025

 

[Willym]

Thanks Rick. I didn't realize that the effect of temperature was so significant and that the "emptiness" of the cylinder was such a factor. Although I can't figure out the latter, as for most of the level change in the tank, the liquid surface area remains the same. It would be interesting to hear from someone camping in a really cold area to see if the propane supply can keep up with the demand. I don't plan on doing such a trial!

 

[2psnapod2]

I know from when I worked for a propane company in northern Wisconsin. I only usually worked on the new install stuff, but from knowledge, I do know that in the coldest of cold up there, it was a issue with even larger tanks, if they were fairly empty.

 

[wdk450]

I found this website with a lot of propane answers, short of talking to Hank Hill: http://www.propane101.com/propaneregulatorfreezing.htm The page I directed you to is about the regulator freezing and causes, but the page didn't say if this would cause the propane flow to shut off. Read the last paragraph on the page for causes.
I would still contact a local propane professional (like Hank Hill) for an answer to your problem.

 

[rick_debbie_gallant]

Thanks Rick. I didn't realize that the effect of temperature was so significant and that the "emptiness" of the cylinder was such a factor. Although I can't figure out the latter, as for most of the level change in the tank, the liquid surface area remains the same. It would be interesting to hear from someone camping in a really cold area to see if the propane supply can keep up with the demand. I don't plan on doing such a trial!

u r welcome. I am thinking the fuller the tank is the more surface of the liquid propane is in contact with the side wall of the tank. Have you ever noticed that when you start to run out of fuel the pressure starts to drop and if you shake things up a bit you are causing more of the liquid propane to come in contact with the sides of the tank and your pressure comes back a little? Try it you will be amazed at what a little shakeing does to propane. Even works with them 1 lb tanks for solder guns.