Propane Regulator Froze Up

[RNeumann]

I had this same problem last year on 2 different propane installations. They were both 125000 BTU hot dawg heaters. When it got down below 0 one or the other would freeze the regulator and the heater would go out. They changed regulators tried different things for a couple of weeks. Then they finally put a heavy dose of what ever kind of alcohol they use on propane for moisture and the problem went away on both units. This year no problems and it has been colder this year than last year. Both of my heating units, tanks and all equipment was new when installed. After problem went away with alcohol they figured there was some moisture in the new tanks. Hope this helps your situation.

Great advise!

 

[Egon]

Regulators are sized for the amount of flow/BTUs needed. The bigger they are the more money they are. As you are seeing several folks in very cold climates don稚 have issues.
If itç—´ undersized it can create a condition that would cause some internal freezing issues as the propane goes from highish to low pressure (also correct above regarding two regulators).
This is a long shot that hasn稚 been mentioned- not the first thing to look at.

Bottom line- their are millions of propane regulators in this world that don稚 need special care or maintenance depending on temperature- they just work till they don稚.....unless it was the wrong one to begin with (too small, wrong size etc)

Yes. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Another cold climate problem is temperatures low enough that the propane will not vapourize.

Water contamination in the propane supply also happens. Off spec product has been know to make it's way into the sales pproduct.

 

[bigtiller]

If it doesn't freeze up again, I would bet the vent screen was plugged. The ice that formed and the water you poured on it, may have washed some of the crud off it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

We certainly don't have problems with regulators freezing up here. I've not heard of a single case from any of my neighbors or folks I know.

Yeah, it gets cold here. -40 F with no cheating wind chill to pad the numbers. Never had one of our regulators freeze.

If you're having problems with your regulator freezing up, either bad propane fill/contaminated system, or bad regulator if you ask me.

 

[kcflhrc]

If it doesn't freeze up again, I would bet the vent screen was plugged. The ice that formed and the water you poured on it, may have washed some of the crud off it.

I think this is the most logical possibility. It has never happened before but then again, it has never iced that much since we have lived here. It was literally in cased with 1/4" of ice. Didn't want to do the hot water thing but I was desperate. But I think drying it out with the hair dryer after the hot water melted the ice was the thing to do. I will try and make some sort of cover for it. But in the mean time, I have contacted the propane supplier that did all the work but they have yet to reply back. We will see.

 

[s219]

Here's the story on propane regulators freezing(your supplier should know this and take care of it for you). This apply's to any system from 5 gallon grill bottle to several hundred gallon storage tanks. If a large amount of gas is flowing,a properly working regulator will be cooler than surrounding air,even in warm weather unless sun is keeping it warm. It is due to pressure drop inside regulator. In freezing temperature with moist air,ice can form on regulator without effecting function. Even when weather stay's cold and moist for days causing a thick layer of ice,the regulator will still function,,,,UNLESS,,,,,regulator has moisture INSIDE. A single drop of water inside regulator will shut it down. Moisture get's into tank and lines during assembly or is introduced when tank is being filled. If one has been using same system for a few years in similar weather without a problem and regulator stop's flowing,I would thaw it out and not worry unless it reoccurred shortly. In that case,I would choose a day with low humidity to pour denatured alcohol in regulator and tank side of line at regulator. Use fresh unopened alcohol and work fast to open and close line. If you remove regulator,plug both lines while regulator is off. If it happen's again shortly,chances are the tank has water in it. The supplier can transfer your fuel into another tank and pour alcohol into your tank. Few will do it but it is much better to pull a vacuum on tank to remove all traces of moisture (exactly same procedure air conditioning techs do every day). In actuality the principle of pressure drop equating to cooling effect is exactly what make's your refrigerator and air conditioners work. If you buy an empty used tank,beit a grill bottle or large storage tank,you should take remedial measures for water. Water lay's at bottom of tank so if there's a great amount, most can be poured out by inverting tank. A word of caution. The water contain's odorant and if you get it on you or your clothes it's next to impossible to wash off so be very carful. That's why few suppliers are willing to evacuate tanks. Ditto for your buddy who own's a refrigeration vacuum pump. His pump will stink after evacuating a propane tank. Now you know why some regulators freeze and others don't.

Thanks for the great explanation -- this lines up with what I know about it, but you explained it like a pro.

 

[PILOON]

I would believe what happened is what would be called venturi effect.
Air, in your case propane, rushing thru a venturi will create cold and therefor ice.
Propane is very humid, so much so that when used indoors the condensation levels are very high as windows will tell you.
Old early VW's often had that problem hence had a winter/summer switcher to direct warm air towards the air intake.
All carbureted cars generally used one trick or another to assure warmed air entered the air intake.

Aircraft have alternate hot air source 'valves' to prevent carb icing.

Another propane fact is when very cold it is virtually impossible to empty a tank as the colder it gets the lower is the pressure which is low to start.
A 100 lb tank will quit producing when -30 but still have many hours of fuel left come warmer weather and probably still have as much as 40% volume remaining.
To get 100% one would need to heat the tanks somewhat. (or bury them below frost line)

You might say that a venturi is actually a crude air conditioner.