New Plastic Propane Tank ...?

[flyfisherman]

On this morning's ABC news "new product segment", I happened to be in the bathroom shaving, with the door ajar so I could hear, and there was a quick blurb about a new plastic propane tank. By the time I could get to where the T.V. is and have a look see, it was about over. I think they said it was Lexan, but can't be sure. Anyway, the idea was that you could see the contents and would know when the tank was getting near empty. The price was &75.00.
Did anyone else watching ABC this morning and catch that segment?
Anyone hear about such a tank from some other source?


Fly

[wavery]

Doesn't sound real safe to me :confused: .

I can't imagine them being approved by the DOT for use on the highway. I don't think that I would want one on my BBQ either  :yikes: .

[volzjr]

here's link to the ABC news description of it...
ABC News

[volzjr]

And here's a link to the product itself...
Clear 20# Propane Tank

[flyfisherman]

Thanks for the links, Volzjr, that is the critter!

Most interesting. Going to try and follow this product and see how it does. The idea of acually being able to see the contents is outstanding.


Fly

[wavery]

Cute marketing ploy but it looks like a recipe for disaster to me.

 :yikes:

[AustinBoston]

Cute marketing ploy but it looks like a recipe for disaster to me.

 :yikes:

There are plenty of plastic materials that are stronger than steel.  Kevlar, for example, is preferred my the military for helmets.  Helmets are meant to stop things designed and intended to kill people.  It is stronger and  lighter than steel and it doesn't rust.  It can be made clear.

Lexan (the molded version of plexiglass) is another strong, lighweight material that is also clear.

Because these tanks are not metalic, they might be usable for longer than the 12 years allowed for steel tanks.

Austin

[Cheryl]

Like AustinBoston, I am intrigued by the idea of a plastic cylinder but the price tag is a might high, in my opinion. If they become more readily available, and lower in price, it would definitely catch my attention.
Cheryl

[TroutBum]

I have dealt with lexan in a number of capacities including installing it under Hyde Drift Boats when I worked there.  In developing the "G4" bottom for our boats we tested it by dragging a G4 equipped boat around behind a truck and tractor, and it is amazing stuff.  

I have even driven tent stakes with a Lexan Nagene bottle- though I wouldn't recommend doing the same with a lexan propane tank  :p

[JimQPublic]

Propane cylinders vent their contents once the pressure reaches approx 220 psi.  If they're exposed to a fire the blow off valve will release the contents long before these composite cylinders get hot enough to burn through.  

Without the safety blow off valve any cylinder could experience a catastrophic BLEVE: Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.  Instead of the roman candle jet of burning propane you get when the blow off valve vents propane, a BLEVE is more like the final scene of Dr. Strangelove.  When a propane tanker truck is burning the standard firefighting precedure is to evacuate a one-mile radius.

Here's some info on the approval process for composite tanks.  It looks like this one is approved for outdoor use under a waiver but not yet approved for indoor use- which appears to be the goal.  They did some burn tests and the tanks did not rupture.

http://www.propane.tx.gov/research/documents/05Osborne_000.pdf

[wavery]

I have dealt with lexan in a number of capacities including installing it under Hyde Drift Boats when I worked there.  In developing the "G4" bottom for our boats we tested it by dragging a G4 equipped boat around behind a truck and tractor, and it is amazing stuff.  

I have even driven tent stakes with a Lexan Nagene bottle- though I wouldn't recommend doing the same with a lexan propane tank  :p

Lexan's biggest weekness is exposure to the sun (unless they have corrected that problem). I used to have 3/4" thick Lexan windows on my sailboat (for storm control). They cost about $300 each. After about 2 years, they were all crazed. I tried to remove one to re-seal the window and it just fell to pieces. I was pretty shocked. I contacted the manufacturer and they told me that it should not have prolonged exposure to the sun. My tinted Lexan hatches did the same thing.

[tlhdoc]

I am with Cheryl, if the price comes down and I need to replace my tank this is the way I am going to go.

[beacher]

I have been working for the past three years with a pressure vessel manufacturer.  

The testing that is performed for cylinder performance and function at the design level is extensive.  The pressure at which these new LP tanks function is relatively low in the world of pressure vessels.

I have been involved with development, qualification, and DOT testing of Hydrogen containers for use in mass market automobiles.  Now THAT is serious pressure!  Even those tanks will safely release the liquid contents without vessel rupture during a compromising event.

Do not underestimate the strength of composite wrapping!  Different fibers and resins have different engineering properties, some combinations are far superior to steel alone.

The weak point in any composite or plastic only vessel is the valve mount interface.  It will be interesting to see how the new cylinders will withstand being refilled with marginally trained people constantly banging the valve with the refill hose.  And, any other incidental valve beatings.

[AustinBoston]

The weak point in any composite or plastic only vessel is the valve mount interface.  It will be interesting to see how the new cylinders will withstand being refilled with marginally trained people constantly banging the valve with the refill hose.  And, any other incidental valve beatings.

I've heard of one thin, tall pressurized tank (not propane, IIRC it was oxygen) becoming a balistic missile when the valve assembly was suddenly broken off.

Austin

[flyfisherman]

Just run this plastic L/P tank idea past an old timer (he's GOT to be in his eighties!) - but still knows how to build a campfire, wet a fishing line (and pick a mean banjo!) - I had said what a marvelous idea it would be to see exactly how much propane you had in the tank at any given time; his reply is that it would also help a thief to know what tanks were full enough to steal! A point I never had considered! But I guess one could make sure there was a tank cover over it at all times!

Think I will let Santa know this is what I NEED for Christmas this year!


Fly