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WHAT
EXACTLY IS PROPANE ?
Propane, C3H8
( CH3CH2CH3 ),
is a colourless straight-chain natural hydrocarbon that is usually found
in a gaseous state under normal atmospheric temperature and pressure. It can be
extracted from natural gas or refinery gas byproducts. With a boiling point of
–42 F it can be easily liquefied under pressure for transportation or storage.
It has a large variety of uses including cooking, heating, vehicular fuel gas,
refrigerant and petrochemical feedstock.
WHAT
ARE SOME OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PROPANE ?
Gaseous propane is heavier than air with a specific gravity of 1.52 (the specific gravity of air is 1.0). The heating value of gaseous propane is 2500 btu per cubic foot at 11 “ of water column pressure. The air gas ratio required for proper combustion is 25 cubic feet of air to one cubic foot of propane. Flame temperature is 3650 F with a flame speed of 0. 95 feet per second. The limits of flammability are 2 % to 10 %
WHY
DOES PROPANE SMELL ?
To allow the presence of propane to be detected an odorant is added
called mercaptan. Mercaptan is an extremely strong odorant so that very little
must be added to the propane to give it that “rotten egg” smell.
WHAT
IS THE COST TO OPERATE PROPANE APPLIANCES COMPARED TO APPLIANCES THAT USE
ELECTRICITY ?
Propane is often measured in BTU’s ( British Thermal
Units ) and electricity is measured in KWH’s (kilowatt hours) If a comparison
is to be made between propane and electricity we should first find a common
between the two energy forms so we are comparing apples to apples.
One
gallon of propane has 91,500 BTU’s and one KWH of electricity has 3,413
BTU’s. Electricity is considered to be 100 % efficient therefore there are
3,413 useable BTU’s in each kilowatt hour of electricity. While the efficiency
of propane appliances can reach 97 % let’s use 80 % as an efficiency rating in
our example. When 80 % efficiency is used there are 73,200 BTU available in each
gallon of propane.
Thus one gallon
of propane utilized in an appliance with 80% efficiency contains the same amount
of useable energy as 21.45 kilowatt hours of electricity. Factor in the cost of
propane and electricity in your area and you will have an idea of the cost
comparison. For example if propane costs $
2.80/gallon in your area and electricity is 12 cents per KWH the cost to operate
each appliance is very close at $ 2.80 for propane vs $ 2.57 for electricity.
However cost of operation is only one part of the equation. Environmental concerns and the overall system efficiency of the electricity producer should also be factored into the equation. One thing is for sure -- if you are in a area that is prone to power failures the warmth of a propane heater that does not require power to operate on a cold winter night may more than make up the small saving by an electric appliance.
WHAT
ARE VENT FREE APPLIANCES ?
Vent free appliances are appliances such as wall mounted propane room
heaters. They are generally not very large in physical size or heat output and
have no flue (chimney) to direct combustion gases to outside the living space.
HOW
SAFE ARE VENT FREE APPLIANCES ?
Vent free appliances are safe when used as directed by the manufacturer
and installed according to local gas codes. Only vent free appliances approved
for installation indoors should be used inside a living area. An adequate source
of make up air should be available to the area the vent free appliance is
located in and all vent free appliances should be installed according to
manufacturers instructions and local gas codes. Most manufacturers suggest a
yearly maintenance and inspection to make sure the appliance is burning
properly.
WHAT
IS CARBON MONOXIDE ?
Carbon monoxide ( CO ) is a colourless, odourless tasteless,
non-irritating gas that is produced of incomplete combustion of fuels. It
normally occurs when there is not enough oxygen mixed with the fuel causing
incomplete combustion.
WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ?
Low level CO poisoning can cause flu like symptoms which include
headaches, burning eyes, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness and loss of
consciousness. High levels of CO poisoning can result in brain damage and death.
Pets, children, the elderly and people with heart or lung ailments may feel the
effects of CO poisoning sooner.
Danger signs include:
·
air feels
stuffy
·
sharp
penetrating odour or smell of gas when the furnace turns on
·
pilot
lights on gas appliances continually go out
·
excessive
moisture forming on windows or walls
·
your
carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds
WHAT
CAN CREATE CARBON MONOXIDE ?
·
improperly
installed fuel burning appliances
·
a blocked
chimney ( birds nest, snow, ice etc.)
·
cracked
furnace heat exchanger
·
not
enough make up air to a fuel burning appliance
·
use of
appliances not approved for indoor use
·
lack of
maintenance to an appliance
Don’t
forget that any fuel burning appliance has the potential to create
carbon monoxide. These include appliances fueled by propane, natural gas, oil or
wood.
WHAT
CAN I DO TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE ?
“The Carbon Monoxide Awareness Committee recommends annual inspection
and maintenance of all fuel burning appliances, venting systems and chimneys by
a qualified service technician. Regularly maintained appliances that are
properly ventilated should not produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide.
If you are adding a new fuel
burning appliance or making changes to your home’s ventilation system, please
consult a qualified heating contractor to ensure that your home is safe from CO
hazards.” (from the CMAC pamphlet
DANGER ! Carbon Monoxide )
In addition to regular
maintenance of fuel burning appliances installation of CO detectors in the
living space is highly recommended. Always make sure the CO detector conforms to
current standards and is installed according to manufacturers instructions.
Multiple CO detectors are recommended.
HOW
IS PROPANE STORED ?
Propane is usually stored in approved steel or aluminum containers known
as tanks ( or cylinders ). Smaller
tanks are usually referred to by the amount of propane they hold in pounds.
Larger tanks are usually measured in gallons. Most people would recognize the 20
pound propane storage tanks used on barbeques or recreational vehicles, however
tanks can be manufactured to hold several hundred or even thousand gallons of
liquid propane. Liquid propane will expand when heated so space must be left in
the tank for expansion to occur. For this reason a tank is usually filled to
only 80 % of its capacity.
Propane tanks normally have a
ten year life from the date of manufacture stamped into the tank. At the end of
the ten year life the owner of the tank has the option of replacing the tank or
having an approved company re-certify the tank.
WHAT SAFETY RULES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WITH PROPANE TANKS ?
·
the tank
should be free of excessive rust especially around the base
·
the tank
should never be stored in a closed vehicle or indoors
·
never
store the tank in a muddy or wet area where rust or oxidization could possibly
weaken the metal
·
store the
tank away from areas of high temperature
·
when
repainting the tank stay away from using flat colours which absorb heat
·
only
refill tanks specifically manufactured to be refilled
·
never try
to refill disposable tanks
·
before
refilling tanks check the date code
to be sure the tank is allowed to be legally refilled
·
regularly
inspect the condition of the tank and the tank valve to make sure they are not
leaking
·
tanks
should have the markings “TC”, “CTC”, or “DOT” showing they have
been manufactured to acceptable standards.
·
tanks
should always be installed to the code specific to the tank use
WHAT
IS THE PURPOSE OF A REGULATOR ?
The purpose of a regulator in a propane system is to maintain a constant
downstream pressure regardless of changes in gas flow or changes in the upstream
pressure. This means the pressure of the propane supplied to the appliance stays
constant even if another appliance is fired or the pressure in the propane tank
should vary due to temperature etc.
WHY
ARE REGULATORS REQUIRED IN A PROPANE SYSTEM ?
The pressure inside a propane storage tank at 70 F is about 122 PSI (pounds per square inch ). Generally most propane appliances such as
domestic ranges, dryers, furnaces and hot water tanks require a supply pressure
of less than ˝ PSI. A regulator is needed to reduce the tank pressure to a
pressure useable by the appliance. Propane systems using pressures less than ˝
PSI are often referred to a low pressure systems.
Some appliances such a roofing
torches and camp stoves require pressures higher than ˝ PSI and have regulators
made specifically for the higher pressure application. Often this type of appliance requires pressures over 1 PSI
and up to 100 PSI. These systems are sometimes referred to as high
pressure systems.
WHY
CAN’T I USE A HIGH PRESSURE APPLIANCE INSIDE MY CABIN OR HOME ?
Propane fired appliances are a convenient and compact source of heat for
cooking or heating. The amount of heat that an appliance can give is related to
the inlet pressure of propane supplied to the appliance. Within design
limitations the higher the pressure the more propane the appliance can consume
the more heat it can generate. While higher pressures can supply more fuel to an
appliance, safety becomes a concern when pressures start to exceed ˝ PSI in an
inhabited structure. If the supply pressure in an inhabited structure such as
your home were to exceed ˝ PSI, even if your appliances were rated for the
higher pressure, it would be extremely dangerous if a supply line were to break
or somehow develop a leak. The higher the pressure the faster and greater would
be the amount of fuel that could leak into the living area creating a greater
hazard than if the pressure were lower than ˝ PSI.
For this reason most
jurisdictions prohibit pressures greater than ˝ PSI inside a structure.
WHO
IS ALLOWED TO INSTALL PROPANE SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES ?
Most jurisdictions require the use of a government licensed gas fitter to
install, maintain or modify any part of a propane system. You should consult
with your local gas inspection department for detailed information on what is
required in your area.
IS
AN UNLICENSED PERSON ALLOWED TO
INSTALL PROPANE SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES
?
Some jurisdictions do allow an individual to install a propane system as
long it is for themselves and they are not making a business of it. You should
consult with your local gas inspection department for detailed information on
what is required in your area to install your own propane system or appliances.
ARE
APPLIANCES CONVERTIBLE FROM ONE FUEL TYPE TO ANOTHER ?
Yes – if the manufacturer has designed and had the appliance approved
to be converted. Domestic ranges and dryers are examples of convertible
appliances as they often can be converted from natural gas to propane and vice
versa. If the appliance is approved to be converted to other fuel types the
manufacturers instructions should always be followed when performing the
conversion. Conversion should be done by qualified personnel.
385 S. Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo, B.C. Canada V9R-5C7
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