Frozen Propane Tanks in Alaska: SOLVED!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- After spending weeks with one of our propane tanks freezing on and off, we've dealt with the main causes and found the best fixes for our situation. From the regulator to tank placement to building a structure for it to keep it warmer than our artic temperatures.
They make special heating blankets for tanks in cold climates.
When propane vapor is released from the tank for appliance service, the propane inside tries to use ambient heat energy to boil propane and produce enough vapor pressure to reach equilibrium. This makes the propane tank draw heat thru its outside surface, and develop a frost layer. this solution shown wont fix the problem for continuous operation in low temps. The best solution is both insulate the tank (non permanently, so you can remove it in summer), AND apply heat from an alternate source: electric heater, gas heater, etc. These systems are available in the market.
Would some electric pipe wrap around tank and some insulation work?
We insulated ours for -50 as we get that low plus a little..and had a heater blanket and we never had an issue. Best of luck.
With extended cold you will have to have a little heat source. Even a light bulb. 👍
I unfreeze mine by giving it a nice warm loving hug.
how did that work for you ? my thought was to build an enclosure like you did with a bock base and put some vents from the house through to the tank enclosure so as you are heating the house you are also heating the tank area. I would put some gasket insulation between the house and enclosure and eye bolts or ??? to be able to fasten the enclosure to the house tightly.
Thank you for the Info on this matter we live in Maine and it gets very cold here -40 at times this will help us keep out stove going so we can cook.I knew there had to be a way to keep it from freezing up. I like how you build a wall around the tank.
Oh awesome, glad to hear it helped! This kept ours from freezing since, low of -45 for few days maybe. But cool, glad to hear, thanks!
One trick that works for us is to use charcoal hand warmers (the large body warmers are best) along with a sleeping bag or heavy blanket. Put the warmers on the bottle at the stem and cover with sleeping bag to try and keep heat in. At -50f we just gave up on it and used the wood stove. Good luck with the shed.
Yeah that’s a good idea, We’ll keep that in mind if it comes up again. Thanks for the tip 👍
Thank you soooo very much. You literally saved me tonite, so here is the twist this mam mam here alone w 3 lil ones under 5 attempted and succeeded, when guided by your knowledge. First, convinced myself I will not cry, nor call for help, I can do this. Found hand warmers 🤦🏻♀️🤣, grabbed 2 diapers we no longer need, Bc we conquered potty training previously 🙏🏻🙏🏻, thick flannel oh pants and a rubber backed bath mat. Wrapped the hand warmers around perimeter of top of regulator, and one centered underneath. Wrapped warmers tightly by attaching the pampers w the Velcro closures around the regulator and activated warmers. Blocked all holes on top of tank w pj pants, and wrapped rest around outside of diapers, then placed the bath mat on top of pants further blocking holes and laid the rest on top of the other insulators. I came inside. Warmed my hands, and tried the propane unit on living room wall…. It lit! Then I said a prayer that you always have heat, I truly am blessed to have come upon this video, I thank you all. And will be looking for a better insulated solution come very soon. We don’t have that many pampers left ❤️🩹🤦🏻♀️🤣🙏🏻💙
Once you build your shelter, you can keep it warm with a 65 watt droplight.
It’s nothing to do with stages but the boiling of the gas inside the tank due to draw from the burner, case in point I’m in Canada and the workshop heater is 12 feet from the tank which if the heater is on max the tank will ice - the best way is connect a 2nd tank on a changeover valve and allow the 1st to recover itself
add a second tank for more draw volume, i had this same issue with cold temps running a 100K btu heater with a 20lb bottle now i know why the instructions said to use at least a 40 or 60lb bottle, either way got a 100lb and never had an issue again but seems to be the same issue as a few others have mentioned, either a change over valve or tie the 2 together to double the capacity.
Agreed. I now have 3 tanks tied together and problem solved.
One thing that would help is having 2 tanks with a duel manifold. The vapor at the top of the tank is what is freezing, not the liquid propane at the bottom. If you have 2 tanks 2 share the load you will have much less of that propane 🥶
Nothing is freezing. The pressure inside the tank is dropping too low. At 70F the PSI inside a tank is around 125, at 32F its around 50, and at 0 its around 25. at -20 its around 10 PSI. Add a first stage and second stage regulator as well as piping, and that PSI can drop so low your appliances won't operate.
Replace the fiberglass insulation with foam
That’s a great idea!! Thank you!
Good info. Did you put anything under the bottom of it?
so how well did it work? i still need to build a enclosure for my tanks
Insulating human body with more clothing will reduce thermal transfer rate making us feel warmer in cold environment
A propane tank is not human body where it metabolize food for energy, just like insulating a house will not raise indoor temperature, to raise temperature it needs a thermal energy source.
Propane liquid (and therefore container tank) will take away energy as evapouration happens, the heat has to be replenish from somewhere otherwise propane gas pressure drops, at same consumption rate, a bigger tank (more mass) will slow down temperature drop, or better provide a suitable heat source and send the heat where its needed, e.g.
disclaimer: I have no relation with below business
ruclips.net/video/cIL4KgqU0hk/видео.html
by the way propane gas is denser than breathing air, if a leak happens propane gas sinks to bottom and accumlulate, so leave some air gap at bottom (and top for convection) of enclosure to vent before the concentration become explosive and it finds an ignition source
ruclips.net/video/JzdnUZReoLM/видео.html
It's 40°f here in Austin TX and my propane is freezing lol funny that it's freezing point is actually -300°f
But it just can't turn into a gas property when cold
Propane boiling/ condescending temp is around -40F so how do you get -300? I handle a variety of different refrigerant gases on a daily basis and have for years and KNOW these temperatures. PROPANE is used as a refrigerant also know as R 290 and several other refrigerants.
@@robertstanley1056 I mean for it to actually freeze into a solid.
@@danniemikeey579 Howdy Texas! It is -35ish (yes, that's minus 35) where I live in Alberta, Canada at the moment. This is normal for us during the winter and not climate change for the climate crazies out there! Relax Mr Stanley. A solid like dry ice (frozen CO2) right? Liquid Nitrogen boils at -297. I don't remember off hand, when it turns solid though, but it does. I've been working with liquified gases like oxygen (for hospitals), nitrogen, helium for refrigeration, purging/pressurizing piplines etc and maintaining their respective containers for about 30 years now. Cheers and Merry Christmas.
@@michaelheurkens4538 hi!!! I actually found out that it wasn't a condensation problem but a pressure problem.
Thanks for the video...Hope that works for ya.
Awesome, yeah it seems to have done the trick. We hit 40 below and colder last week. Had to throw a little space heater in the bathroom, but we had hot water all the way through. Are you in the cold weather somewhere too?
@@smallcabinalaska5864 I'm no longer in a cold region, now living in Nova Scotia, Canada. I did live in the Yukon and Churchill Manitoba for a few years though. It might drop down to -30 celsius here once and a while but the winters are fairly mild hanging around +5 to -15. I miss the colder temps as it snows ,rains ,snows, rains which makes for an ugly winter.
Oh cool. Yeah that makes sense. Well right on, it was good talking with you Jedidiah, take care till next time.