Purging propane tanks... Any propane gurus in the house?

[Homerr]

How does one go about purging a new can of propane?<br /><br />I was curious, as I bought a couple new 50# cans, and I'm sure all the air hasn't been purged. They've only been filled once so far.<br /><br />I can crack the side valve on one of them and get what I assume is air. No white-ish liquid like the propane does when the station fills it.<br /><br />Can I let this air out until it spits propane?<br /><br />Should it spit this propane when there is ANY amount of gas in it.. For example, if the tank only half filled, should it still spit propane out of the valve?<br /><br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[neumanns]

Re: Purging propane tanks... Any propane gurus in the house?

Purging is simply opening the valve while filling to allow the air to escape. otherwise the air would compress but not allow a complete fill. This must be done while filling. The newer tanks with OPD valves do not have to be vented to fill, the reason for this is the old tank vent was there simply to tell you when full. But since the new tanks cannot be overfilled no reason for a valve except to purge. Tanks are filled by weight so if your tank is scaleing as full there is no need to repurge unless air gets introduced via a completly empty tank and open valve. in regards to your question about "spitting" only the liquid appears as spitting when tank is full to the valve lead. I do not know if new tanks still contain the lead therefore it could possiably appear as "air" (Vapors) even when completly full.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Purging propane tanks... Any propane gurus in the house?

neumanns Right.......<br /><br />Besides, Propane(liquid or vapor) is Heavier than "Air".................<br /><br />The 1st time you used the tanks,<br />You cracked the valve,+ Waited for the gas to Light.... Right ???<br />That Wait, was the tanks Purging All the "Air" out..............<br />It's been Nothing but Propane, liquid,+ Vapor ever since.................

 

[Homerr]

Re: Purging propane tanks... Any propane gurus in the house?

The 50# cans I have don't appear to have the OPD valve... Nor do they have the ACME thread on the end like your typical barbeque tank has.<br /><br />I was told that the larger cans such as this don't require the OPD? Dunno if this is true or not, but like I said.. I just bought these tanks at my local Bi-Mart store, so I can assume they are legal.<br /><br />The tanks do however,... have a thumb-screw valve on the side to let it purge.<br />Again, I was wondering if I should be seeing the liquid spit.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.<br /><br />H.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Purging propane tanks... Any propane gurus in the house?

Again, I was wondering if I should be seeing the liquid spit.

No.........<br />Vapor Only..........<br /><br />Unless you turn the tank Upside-Down.. Then there'll be Liquid..........