Propane tanks

[Frank64]

Has anyone transported their propane tanks laying on its side when empty ? I have heard you should not transport tanks when full. Never thought to inquire about transporting empty tanks on its side

[JDDilly]

I have heard you should never transport tanks on its side, even if empty.

[Frank64]

Thanks JDDILY

[Frank64]

I found this as well on google:

If cylinders are stored improperly, such as on their side with the relief valve in contact with propane liquid and the safety relief valve opens for any reason, liquid will be escaping instead of vapor posing a much greater danger. ... All consumer propane cylinders should be stored vertically upright in all circumstances

Maybe it will help clarify for others as it did me

[Jpc]

Perfectly fine to lay an EMPTY tank on its side. As mentioned above you want to keep relief valve in the vapor space and not the liquid space as the expansion ratio of liquid to vapor propane is 270 to 1. A slight burp of liquid propane is a major release as a vapor

[Frank64]

Thanks Jpc

[Dreamersandtravelers]

At some propane suppliers, staff will insist on transporting a full cylinder standing in upright position as a safety concern. if laying down it may build up pressure and release by design from the psi relief valve. in this situation it may bleed 'liquid' propane. An unsafe condition - free flowing will freeze up the relief valve and may in rare cases over pressurize. Then the tank can theoretically explode from over pressurization, especially with heat involved. Look up "BLEVE" to better understand.

[Jpc]

Laying a propane tank on its side will not cause pressure to build up. The problem with the tank being on its side is that the relief valve will be in communication with the liquid propane. What causes the pressure to build up in a tank is heat. A tank is filled above the proper fill level (which is preset at 80% tank capacity with the “OPD” valves on the tanks we use) is the main cause of over pressurization and relief valve discharge. The problem with a tank being on its side is that the relief valve opening inside the tank will be in communication with the liquid propane.
A Bleve is a very bad event. But that will happen regardless what position the tank is in during the fire. The cause of a Bleve is normally during a fire with events happening in precise order.
The propane company I worked for had a fire with over 80 full 100# propane tanks on a wooden loading dock that burned to the ground. Fortunately there was not one Bleve. It got so hot that the brass tank valves completely melted.

For more tank info. click on this link: https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/1969-how-much-pressure-is-in-lpg-propane-cylinders-in-what-state

[Frank64]

Lot of good info on the link you provided... thanks

[Dreamersandtravelers]

Originally Posted by Jpc

Laying a propane tank on its side will not cause pressure to build up. The problem with the tank being on its side is that the relief valve will be in communication with the liquid propane. What causes the pressure to build up in a tank is heat. A tank is filled above the proper fill level (which is preset at 80% tank capacity with the “OPD” valves on the tanks we use) is the main cause of over pressurization and relief valve discharge. The problem with a tank being on its side is that the relief valve opening inside the tank will be in communication with the liquid propane.
A Bleve is a very bad event. But that will happen regardless what position the tank is in during the fire. The cause of a Bleve is normally during a fire with events happening in precise order
The propane company I worked for had a fire with over 80 full 100# propane tanks on a wooden loading dock that burned to the ground. Fortunately there was not one Bleve. It got so hot that the brass tank valves completely melted.

For more tank info. click on this link: https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/1969-h...-in-what-state

Much better said than I. I experienced an inexperienced person filling my tank with almost 8 gallons. Just at a typical fill station. Way beyond 80%. Needless to say it vented most the way back to RV. The agitation & summer heat didn't help matters. IF the tank was laid down that full, liquid propane would surely flow out. Granted the air/fuel ratio mixture was never a danger of explosion unless being involved in some MVA. In an upright position vapors vent out instead of liquid. If the vapor ignite what is the worst problem? roast some marshmallows!

[jaidinger]

Just get plastic"milk" crates. The bottles fit perfectly in an upright position. No more rolling around. Very stable when transporting

[Wayne & Colleen]

I haul my tanks laying down quite often for the last 5 years. I make sure they are not overfilled.

[rohrmann]

I purchased one of these some years ago and it works great to keep a propane cylinder secured and upright in the back of the truck. http://www.tailgaterstrap.com/

[Michal P]

Originally Posted by Frank64

Has anyone transported their propane tanks laying on its side when empty ? I have heard you should not transport tanks when full. Never thought to inquire about transporting empty tanks on its side

I put full or empty propane tanks in a milk crate,and use a ratchet strap to keep them from sliding in the back of my pickup, never had a problem, keeps them upright .

[Frank64]

Milk crates sound like a good idea... thanks

[lj_cox]

We recently got one of the smaller tank holders and modded it with eyebolts in the corners for bungee cords that cross over the top of the tank. Super easy mod, very stable in transit, neatly velcroes to "basement" wall when not in use. Wish I'd done that years ago!

[Renegade1LI]

I agree, the milk crates work best, especially the half size ones they fit exact.

[richfaa]

Always transport them upright in a milk crate cant tell you why but I always have,

[beeje]

Originally Posted by jaidinger

Just get plastic"milk" crates. The bottles fit perfectly in an upright position. No more rolling around. Very stable when transporting

I have been storing them this way for decades. Simply the best way to do …….

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by Frank64

Milk crates sound like a good idea... thanks

Works for us. Carry a pair of grill tanks on winter trips. If I need to carry in the bed of the pickup, I strap them in the front corners. The 20# fit also when taking to fill station.