Propane and Natgas - any FUEL-related issues ?

[3930dave]

This came up in the Gen MTCE Run thread. Interesting topic, worth a thread of it's own IMO.....

Internal combustion engines have common failure points - dead batteries, plugged air-filters, neglected or low levels of oil or coolant. Choice of fuel type can have specific implications, that should be addressed in critical applications.

As a fuel source - what has been your experience (good or bad) running Propane or Natgas engines (any application, not just generators) ?

Potential Fuel-Related Issues:

1) Contamination.

2) Low or High Temperature performance problems.

3) Storage and long-term stability.

4) Safety concerns

5) Availability, esp. during an extended emergency.

Rgds, D.

 

[davrow]

Not sure where you are going with this... we are rural so our whole house is propane. Emergency generator, too.

There are no downsides, especially none on your list.

 

[oldnslo]

Only potential problem with propane is cold weather. Really cold like -20 F or colder there may not be enough pressure in the propane tank to keep things running. Other problem is potential for regulators vents to freeze.

Like Davrow,
I am rural with whole house generator, furnace, etc and have not any problems in the ten years have been at this location. Did lose gas flow when living in Central MN and it was -40 with a low tank of propane. Covered the tank with some straw bales and that problem was resolved.

 

[atsah]

Only potential problem with propane is cold weather. Really cold like -20 F or colder there may not be enough pressure in the propane tank to keep things running. Other problem is potential for regulators vents to freeze.

No problems here at -20F with propane.. It's what I use as backup to wood and when I'm not home.. Just filled the tank at $2.09 gallon..

 

[3930dave]

-40 is one issue oft cited, as the vapourization point for propane is about -44F. Re-supply during emergencies/shortages is another concern.

Pros and cons came up in that other thread, so I wanted to ask for feedback here, from people using either gaseous product.

Rgds, D.

 

[Egon]

Well:
Starting in cold weather with propane could be more difficult.

Oil changes may get extended beyond what is recommended.

Fuel contaminates may be more critical especially in cold weather.

Power return is decreased.

Fuelling up stations may be fewer.

 

[Diggin It]

3) Storage and long-term stability.

4) Safety concerns

5) Availability, esp. during an extended emergency.

3 & 4: When we were planning to relocate a government facility, we were told we needed 100' clearance for a 1,000 gallon LP tank which there was no possible way to do on the lot in question. There was no such requirement for a 500 gallon diesel tank however. Based on the size of the generator, we needed a longer run time than 500 gallons of LP would provide.

5. We have had at least three events where most main roads were impassible for 5 days or longer. Two were over 10 days. LP would surely have run out in that time even with the larger tank we didn't have room for. With roads closed, there could be no LP deliveries. With diesel, we didn't face that problem. This is an Ag area and dang near every farm has diesel storage, plus both road departments had it. We figured we could get diesel with little or no effort, even if we had to haul it in 5 gallon cans with ATVs.

Carrying that over to a house, a 500 gallon LP tank running a generator will empty itself rather quickly, probably no more than two to three days. If you heat and cook with LP, where are you if the roads are closed and there are no LP trucks running?

 

[3930dave]

100' - good data DI, and example.

Things Get Bad.... simpler is better - not as easy to duplicate a 5gal can function for propane.

Rgds, D.

 

[grsthegreat]

3 & 4: When we were planning to relocate a government facility, we were told we needed 100' clearance for a 1,000 gallon LP tank which there was no possible way to do on the lot in question. There was no such requirement for a 500 gallon diesel tank however. Based on the size of the generator, we needed a longer run time than 500 gallons of LP would provide.

5. We have had at least three events where most main roads were impassible for 5 days or longer. Two were over 10 days. LP would surely have run out in that time even with the larger tank we didn't have room for. With roads closed, there could be no LP deliveries. With diesel, we didn't face that problem. This is an Ag area and dang near every farm has diesel storage, plus both road departments had it. We figured we could get diesel with little or no effort, even if we had to haul it in 5 gallon cans with ATVs.

Carrying that over to a house, a 500 gallon LP tank running a generator will empty itself rather quickly, probably no more than two to three days. If you heat and cook with LP, where are you if the roads are closed and there are no LP trucks running?

my 22 kw uses an average of 2.2 gal per hour. Then again I do not have any Wells or other large motor that can ramp up demand on my unit. I ran it under load with known volume tank to determine this.

A heavy loaded unit can run up to 3.9 GPH.

I have an underground 1,000 gal tank. Also I do not run it at night while I am sleeping... unless it is 20 below when power failed. I could get along for quite some time if I had to. Also have propane and wood heat.

 

[atsah]

Carrying that over to a house, a 500 gallon LP tank running a generator will empty itself rather quickly, probably no more than two to three days. If you heat and cook with LP, where are you if the roads are closed and there are no LP trucks running?

500 gallons of propane in two or three days? I heat my house in the dead of winter 0F for a week and use maybe 10 gallons..

I have a gas generator, I turn it on and off as needed.. The longest I have ever been without power is 5 days and I have never seen roads closed for more than two days..