LPG safety

Cylinder Components - Understand Your Cylinder

How a Cylinder Works

How a cylinder worksAn LPG cylinder is a pressure vessel made from 2 to 3mm mild steel plate and of welded construction. The surface of a cylinder in direct contact with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas is known as the wetted area.

A ‘Full’ cylinder is not full of liquid, space is left for expansion of the liquid and a supply of compressed vapour in the space above the liquid level.

The percentage fill varies with the size of cylinder, but normally has a maximum fill of 80 to 87%.

When the valve is opened, LPG is pushed out of the vessel by the pressure and, as a result, the pressure above the liquid is reduced.

The liquid takes in heat from the cylinder and the outside atmosphere and begins to boil, giving off vapour.

As the conversion of liquid to gas continues, the liquid level slowly falls. When the valve is closed again the pressure inside will rebuild up to the vapour pressure of the liquid, irrespective of how much liquid is left in the container.

 

_

Butane Cylinder Sizes, Types and Offtakes

Calor Butane Cylinders

 

Calor Butane Cylinders - Sizes, Types and Offtakes _

Propane Cylinder Sizes, Types and Offtakes

Calor Propane Cylinders - Sizes, Types and Offtakes

 

Propane Cylinder Sizes, Types and Offtakes

* Green with a red shroud

_

29 Litre Automotive Cylinder

29 litre automotive cylinders are identified by their red body colour and black shroud. They are designed to be used in the horizontal position. Always ensure the cylinder is secured on the forklift truck using the brackets provided.

  • Propane capacity: 29 litres

  • Off-take: Liquid

  • Mounted: Horizontally

  • General use: Fork-lift trucks

  • Dimensions: 710mm long x 320mm dia.

  • Typical cylinder weight (empty): 25kg

  • Typical cylinder weight (full): 40kg

Fixed Fuel TanksFixed Fuel Tanks

FFTs are designed to be used in the horizontal position with the valves at 45° only, otherwise they will not fill correctly and the float gauge will read incorrectly.

It is important to ensure the cylinder is placed on the forklift truck with the locating feet at the bottom, and secured using the brackets provided.

  • Water capacity: 55 litres / 70 litres

  • Propane capacity: 44 litres / 56 litres

  • Off-take: Liquid / Liquid

  • Mounted: Horizontally / Horizontally

  • General use: Fork-lift trucks / Fork-lift trucks

  • Dimensions: 650 mm long x 360 mm dia / 810 mm long x 360 mm dia

  • Typical weight (empty): 27 kg / 31 kg

  • Typical Weight (full): 55 kg / 67 kg

Controls and Valves

  1. Service valve
  2. Fixed liquid level valve
  3. Relief valve and dust cap
  4. Contents gauge
  5. Filler valve and dust cap
  6. Location holes

Fixed Fuel Tank (FFT) Controls and Valves:

  1. Service valve
  2. Relief valve and dust cap
  3. Contents gauge
  4. “Autostop” Filler valve and dust cap
    ( Valve locations may vary on some cylinders)

Fixed Fuel Tank (FFT) Controls and Valves
_

  • Care must be taken to ensure LPG cylinders & FFTs are correctly positioned and secured on the forklift truck to avoid damage and ensure safety.

  • The cylinder or FFT must not overhang the body of the FLT and must be secured to prevent movement.

  • Cylinders or FFT’s must always be fitted to the FLT in the correct orientation with the arrow located on the end pointing downwards (see below). For 29 litre cylinders this is with the location hole in the shroud at the lowest point.

  • When handling or lifting a cylinder or FFT, consideration must be given to its weight and extreme care taken during its movement to prevent injury to the operative or damage to the cylinder.

  • Never fill 29 litre cylinders in the vertical position.

line

Find out more