Propane Tank Transportation Safety Guidelines
Propane powers many different products, from gas barbecue grills to home heating systems. However, propane is a flammable gas, requiring extreme care during use and transport. Specific safety guidelines should be followed to move propane from the initial production facility to the end-user's propane tank.-
Propane Features
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Propane can be a liquid or a gas, depending on atmospheric pressure and temperature. In fact, propane originates from petroleum deposits in the Earth. Petroleum gasses and crude oil are taken from the ground. Oil refineries and gas processing facilities process the oil and gas into engine oils and gasoline. Propane is a byproduct of the hydrocarbons within the crude oil.
Industry Safety
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Propane must travel from the original processing facility to an intermediate distributor. The propane is placed within two truck types. A large highway transport truck can carry up to 12,000 gallons of propane, whereas a smaller delivery truck can carry as much as 5,000 gallons. Both trucks must be constructed of high-strength steel. The steel is required because the propane travels in a pressurized form, forcing propane into its liquid state. This pressurized truck system allows more propane to fill the tank as liquid.
Delivery to Propane Supplier
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Distribution-facility trucks deliver propane to the local propane dealer's storage facility. The delivery trucks must be made of strong steel as well. In addition, the United States Department of Transportation requires emergency contact numbers on all propane shipping documents for any transported propane deliveries, in case of an emergency.
Propane Supplier Transport
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The local propane supplier must use well-maintained valves for moving propane from a large storage tank to the consumer's small tank. Excess flow valves alert, and shut down, propane transport from the supplier to the customer if the propane stream exceeds the valve's limitation setting. This may indicate a broken valve or pipe downstream from the excess flow valve.
Consumer Tank Transport
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At times, consumers transport empty propane tanks to a supplier. Consumers should treat the tanks with care, even if there is no propane in the tank. Verify that a tank is secure and upright. Do not let the tank roll around in the transporting vehicle. Consumers should not transport more than four propane tanks at a time. In addition, drivers and passengers should not smoke near the tanks to prevent an accidental explosion.
Maintenance
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Consumers should inspect their tanks periodically to verify a secure valve and body structure. Do not fill or use a propane tank that is damaged.
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