5-5
SECTION 5
PROPANE GAS
Regulator Freeze-up
Regulator freeze-ups are caused by the
presence of moisture in fuel. This moisture will
pass through the cylinder valve and into the
regulator where it can freeze. Fuel producers,
tank and bottle manufacturers and propane gas
dealers take every precaution to reduce moisture,
but sometimes only a fraction of an ounce
entering the tank can cause problems. To help
avoid the possibility of freeze-up, always keep
tank control valve closed when not in use, even
when tank is empty, to prevent moisture from
collecting on the inside.
If regulator freeze-up should occur, you may
attempt to thaw the regulator using a light bulb.
DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME OR HEAT
LAMP.
If moisture begins to cause problems, have
your propane gas dealer inject a small amount of
dry methyl alcohol in your tank (approximately
one ounce to 20 pounds or one pint to 100
gallons) to help guard against regulator freeze-
ups.
PROPANE VAPORIZATION IN
COLD WEATHER
Propane gas vaporization increases and
decreases in direct relation to ambient
temperature. In other words, the lower the
temperature, the slower the liquid propane will
vaporize into a usable gas for appliances.
This means that in extremely cold weather
when a large volume of gas is being used by the
furnace for heating, it is possible to experience a
loss of gas pressure.
At first, this problem may appear to be caused
by an empty tank or a regulator freeze-up, but is
actually caused by failure of the liquid gas to
vaporize as fast as it is needed by the furnace.
The demand for propane to produce heat
increases to the point where the gas cannot
vaporize fast enough to keep the furnace going.
The only solution to this problem is to reduce gas
usage where possible.
Adjusting the temperature on the gas/electric
refrigerator may be a first step. Using less hot
water will also help, as well as refraining from
using the gas cooktop. A final step is to lower the
thermostat setting to reduce gas usage by the
furnace.
