Propane Tank Outdoor Storage

[jaxs]

PROPANE AND COLD WEATHER

Propane Depletion
When the temperature drops, propane can be greatly reduced inside the tank. The propane shrinks due to the unforgiving winter cold, leaving an unsuspecting person shocked to find the tank level gauge reads well below what it did before the winter hit. Once this depletion has occurred, the only choice is to refill the tank wasting precious time and money..

Awesome 42 years in the gas business and I learn something new everyday.

You could spend another 42 years in the business and not learn as much as you will in one week here on TBN. For instance the above information is something you won't find anywhere other than TBN. Propane sales would crater if consumers found this out and put sweaters on all their tanks. Up to now noone could figure out why they had to buy twice as much propane during cold weather as in warm weather. Now we know.

 

[airbiscuit]

Does a custom made sweater fix everything that shrinks in cold weather?

 

[fried1765]

Does a custom made sweater fix everything that shrinks in cold weather?

If so.......I just learned something VERY important!:laughing:

 

[jaxs]

Does a custom made sweater fix everything that shrinks in cold weather?

That is an interesting idea.

 

[AlexIT]

Hi Bronco, I can suggest an heating jackets for drums, like a gas bottle blanket for domestic or industrial environments.

 

[mikester]

Have you thought about talking to your local propane delivery supplier? Can you go to an underground tank?

If you have a local costco you can't be that far north you can't get a bulk delivery setup.

 

[Egon]

On a 500 gallon tank a light bulb under the metal dome on the regulator is usually enough to keep propane flowing. If the flow rate is really high addition heat in this area may be required.

There have been instances where fires have been lit under the tank at temperature below -40 F/C.

For all those wanting to build a shelter or put the tank in a pit make sure you have checked out all the applicable codes for your area. Propane is heavier than air and will collect in low or enclosed areas. That makes for the possibility of an explosion or asphication on entry.

Confined space entry!

 

[Bronco82]

Have you thought about talking to your local propane delivery supplier? Can you go to an underground tank?

If you have a local costco you can't be that far north you can't get a bulk delivery setup.

I have thought about that idea, but they can't beat the price of Costco for refilling. I don't mind throwing the tank in the truck when going to Sudbury to refill it for a much lower cost.

I have never heard of an underground tank, but that would make sense for temperature regulation, and be doable for the location where my propane line runs into the garage. Unfortunately, the upfront cost and again the need to refill it at a cost greater than refilling at Costco doesn't make it feasible for my application.

Hi Bronco, I can suggest an heating jackets for drums, like a gas bottle blanket for domestic or industrial environments.

I have thought about that idea when I noticed the heat trace cable, but again, up front cost, and the wattage required for the heating jacket, are greater than I want to spend.




I haven't tackled this one yet, but still leaning towards the lean-to type shed off the back wall of the garage, insulate it well, and put one or two 100 watt light bulbs in there for when we get a good cold snap. This winter has been cold. -35 Celsius this morning, -31 Fahrenheit. Luckily it is calling for a short mild spell coming up.

 

[PILOON]

Another consideration.

High propane demand from a tank and using a small regulator (like BBQ size) can actually freeze up quite fast.
That phenomenon is from 'venturi effect'.**

Heck even automotive carburetors have some heat source to prevent that effect.
Early VW's had a summer/winter lever to cure that problem by deflecting some manifold heat onto the carburetor.

** air/gas that rushes thru a venturi will create enough cold to actually ice up.

 

[Diggin It]

I don't deal with that kind of cold, but would a regular household bedroom electric blanket accomplish anything? Maybe under a fiberglass wrap? I would think it would consume much less electricity than a specialized blanket, but I'm not sure it would provide enough heat.