Refill Disposable Propane Tank from a Standard BBQ Cylinder

Step 4 Chill Empty Cylinder

Chill Empty Cylinder for 1 hour for best result. This operation lower the pressure in the cylinder. To refill the cylinder, you have to create a pressure differential between the giver and receiver tank.

Comments

[sconner1]

Chilling is unnecessary.
Hook up a full tank (under high pressure) to an empty tank (under less pressure relative to the full one) and open the valve between them and the pressures will equalize. Some of the contents of the full tank are forced into the empty one until the pressures are equal. Close the valve and disconnect. Done.

[rvirag]

Chilling the cylinder is better than releasing the pressure. Releasing the pressure wastes gas, causes pollution and a fire hazard. Unburned propane is heavier than air, and its release contributes to ozone production, which eventually adds to global warming. Chilling the cylinder is safer and conserves propane gas.

[sconner1]

Ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from excess UV rays.
Ozone near the ground is called smog.
Ozone is not produced by releasing or burning Propane/LNG.
Ozone is not a greenhouse gas.
Global warming is a political hoax.

[rangerman2889]

It's the lack of ozone that is causing global warming. thats why ozone depleting agents aren't used as propellants in cans anymore.

[jrsuperstar]

Haven't you heard.. the earth is now in a cooling cycle.

[martynbiker]

its 96 degrees in my back yatrd at the moment, I live in Los Angeles.... COOLING CYCLE MY HAT! roflmao!

[macruadhi]

Propane is non-toxic, non-caustic and will not create an environmental hazard if released as a liquid or vapor into water or soil. If spilled in large quantity, the only environmental damage that may occur is freezing any organism or plant life in the immediate area.
AND
Propane is not considered a greenhouse gas.
source:http://www.propane101.com/propanegreenenergyfuel.htm

And my addition: Propane occurs naturally in the atmosphere, I believe, much like methane, which is a greenhouse gas.

[sokamiwohali]

I beg to differ about your statement...here is a direct quote from your link:

_{Propane Liquid}

_{Propane exists in its liquid form at or below its boiling point (-44°F) as well as when it stored under pressure. To further explain, if the temperature outside is -45°F, propane will be a liquid and you would be able to pour it out of a bucket. But as soon as the temperature rises to -44°F, the propane begins to boil and thus give off vapor. If the temperature outside is colder than -44°F, propane exists as a liquid. It's still propane but it looks a lot like water while at this cold temperature. It's colorless, odorless and tasteless...but who would take a drink of a any liquid that is 45 degrees below zero? Who would stick their finger in a glass of anything that is 45 degrees below zero? Holding a handful of ice can be quite uncomfortable (or painful) after some time but think how painful it would be if that handful of ice was almost 75 degrees colder.}

_{Because propane boils at a temperature that is over 70 degrees lower than the freezing point of water, it has the ability to freeze skin tissue in a very short period of time (severe frostbite). The temperature properties of liquid propane are such that being aware of possible danger when dealing with propane in its liquid state is extremely important.}

_{Propane Vapor}

_{Propane becomes a vapor at temperatures above -44°F. Similar to water when it boils and gives off steam, propane gives off vapor when it boils. One may refer to propane vapor as "flammable steam" for simplicity. However, for the propane vapor to be ignited, there must be the right mix of air and vapor. Propane vapor is heavier than air and will sink to and collect in the lowest point it can find. If propane is vented to the outside air, it will quickly dissipate with the slightest movement of air. Conversely, if propane is vented into an air tight structure with no air movement, the propane vapor will collect on the floor and rise vertically if more propane is vented into the structure.}

_{This is extremely important to know because if there is a propane leak in a house or building, the propane vapor will seek the lowest possible point where it will collect. Keep in mind that one gallon of propane will produce over 36 cubic feet of vapor and this vapor will settle in the lowest possible place. If the propane vapor level continues to rise, it may ignite if finds a source of ignition. The weight of propane vapor being heavier than that of air is a characteristic of propane gas that needs to be understood by all LP Gas users, not just propane companies and their employees.}


 

so this means it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE in temperatures above -44*f  to just "spill" propane. it would evaporate either before OR upon hitting the ground. Propane IS toxic, IS caustic, and DOES pollute (touche though on one point that it is less pollutant by much more than gasoline, but it is still a pollutant), will freeze ANYTHING it touches. THIS DOESNT COUNT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF AN ACCIDENTAL SPARK WERE TO COME DOWN ON THE PROPANE!!!

Another thing to note...propane expands to 270X its original volume from a liquid. so you would see a considerable explosion/fireball if you were to ignite it. even hinting that propane is not dangerous is wrong and irresponsible.

[twhite101]

How about warming it, then releasing the pressure then do this step. This should make more of a vacuum in this tank.

[GrapeApe226]

how about spending the money for a propane tree and extension hoses that attach to your large tank, then you can run your lantern, stove, tent heaters and the like off of your large tank and stop wasting time with this nonsense of collecting small tanks and refiling them. Here is a link, but I'm not advertising lol. look around the net for your best buy. http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-30-Propane-Distribution-Tree/dp/B000P9CZXQ

[hippydog]

I have one of the propane trees.. very expensive and can be a pain sometimes..

[GrapeApe226]

Wall*Mart $20

yes you have to have some extension hoses too, I think refilling partial mini tanks is a pain too. you have to weigh the difference in your situation. Everything about camping is a pain except the relaxing by the fire lol

:)

[sconner1]

Not everyone wants to carry a 20 lb tank and plumbing for a overnight backpack outing.
Refilling small cylinders at home makes more sense for some.

[J57ltr]

I spent several days with the guys at Worthington, including their production manager and several of their engineers. It is perfectly safe to refill the cylinders as long as you do not exceed the Net weight of the container. Freezing the containers was laughed at and they said its a waste of time. Just take the net weight of an empty container and add the contents (900 something grams comes to mind, check the label). The containers go through many tests, one of which is after they are filled on a rotary filling station they go into a 140* F bath to find any leakers and to make sure they can handle the pressure. I spoke with the production supervisor and he said he filled his own all the time. He even converted his engine driven bike to run on these cylinders.

Jeff

[pblasman]

your crazy to even think about refilling these tanks. If you make a mistake, your playing with a small bomb.

[J57ltr]

You know nothing of this so you should consider keeping it to yourself. I have worked with Worthington Cylinder, who supplies most all the tanks discussed here. Even Colman buys from them from Worthington when they cannot keep up with supply.

[Danish M1Garand]

Ok, but you drive a car with 30 gallons of one of the most flammable liquids around. Use your head don't try to fill any tank that you don't feel 100% about.

[KATRAZ]

I've been refilling small tanks for years and never any problems. When you refill them, you are refilling to a pressure that is

[magickaldan]

Alright Guys if you feel unsafe doing this then DON"T do it thats your choice no one can make it for you. But for others have at it, If there is any data showing this is a bad idea then show it but otherwise shut up about how unsafe it is. How many people have gotten blown up from refilling these bottles? anyone... I'm sure there's alot more people out there that do it. The device for refilling them is sold all over the place so it can't be that dangerous.

[mlmayfield]

Had no idea we could refill these ourselves- thanks for this!!