A gas bottle in a summer cottage or in a country house is a familiar phenomenon, but extremely troublesome. After all, the supply of blue fuel in them will have to be periodically restored, observing the rules for refueling household gas cylinders at gas stations. And the cylinders themselves must meet special conditions.
You will learn all about the standards and requirements for refueling tanks with liquefied gas from our article. We will talk about which cylinders are suitable for refueling and further operation, where and how to make it better. We will warn about the problems most often associated with this event.
And what does the law say?
Gas stations, gas distribution stations and other gas supply facilities belong to the most difficult operational category. The legislation provides for strict safety rules, in accordance with which all actions are carried out at the facilities and the adjacent territory.
Storage and operation of a gas cylinder in the domestic sphere is explained by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 26, 2016 No. 1498. It governs the provision of utilities and the operation of common property. One of the items describes the issues of purchase, refueling and exchange of household gas cylinders.
Important key points that are significant for all types of gas cylinders:
- the cylinder must be in good condition;
- have an unexpired shelf life;
- sale is carried out only in special licensed points;
- refueling is carried out at gas filling stations.
It follows that at ordinary automobile gas filling stations, refueling is prohibited by the rules for the design and use of equipment operating under pressure. And this is not a whim of the law, but a real act of caring for citizens.
It is best to contact reliable, specially equipped gas filling stations (GFS) designed for refueling household cylinders
Danger of filling cylinders at gas stations without a license
The fact is that household and automobile cylinders differ in design: the latter have special shutoff valves that do not allow overfilling of the tank.
The gas supply system shuts off automatically when the norm is reached (no higher than 85%). And in cylinders, the purpose of which is domestic use, such cutoffs are not provided. Another nuance is that automobile systems are filled in liters, and household ones in kilograms.
In licensed "gas-filling stations" this issue is solved simply - the cylinder is filled on the scales. Everything is done taking into account the amount of residues and newly supplied gas. The tank itself must be checked for leakage, life, the presence of residues of heavy fractions.
Since 2017, at ordinary gas stations for cars, household gas cylinders have stopped refueling. On the one hand, it is clear that after several emergency situations with explosions, government bodies paid attention to this problem. However, on the other hand, they have not yet been able to solve it completely due to a lack of licensing points.
And if you are filled with a balloon when contacting a car filling station, you should know that you and the gas station violate the law.
Let us consider what legal possibilities we have for filling a cylinder with gas, what are the basic rules for refueling household gas cylinders at gas stations, as well as other important information on the operation of gas equipment with removable media.
Types and features of gas storage cylinders
Manufacturers produce several types of steel cylinders of different volumes: 5, 15, 25 and 50 liters. Weight - from 4 to 22 kg. For example, a 50 liter cylinder weighs 44 kg. Recently, cylinders made of polymer composite materials in volumes of 14 or 33 liters have been developed and produced.
For rare seasonal use, small models of 5-12 liters can be purchased. For year-round and heavy use choose 50-liter cylinders
Types of tanks for domestic use
According to the material from which the body is made, cylinders for domestic use are divided into the following groups:
- Steel cylinders - strong and durable. Their vulnerability is welding seams, therefore, when buying and examining the inspection of welding seams, much attention is paid. It is recommended to choose the right place for the installation of equipment, excluding places of high humidity, so as not to corrode steel models.
- Composite containers. This is a more modern option. Composite gas cylinder is also quite durable, costs 2-3 times more expensive due to the high cost of materials containing fiberglass. Enhances the strength of additional housing protection.
Polymer cylinders are easier to transport, as they weigh less and are less subject to deformation when bumped or dropped. Another advantage of polymer equipment is its high thermal stability. It may be near the fire.
Composite polypropylene euro balloons are safe, easy to dispose of, convenient to operate, but cost more
How do color and purpose compare?
According to GOST, the color of the cylinder determines their purpose:
- white with yellow inscriptions fill with acetylene;
- red - for propane;
- blue - for medical or ordinary oxygen;
- they store hydrogen in dark green;
- in gray with black elements - nitrous oxide.
For use in our living conditions and regular replenishment of liquefied petroleum reserves, only red tanks with the corresponding marking are suitable.
The Russian scheme for painting cylinders - it is impossible to mix! For domestic use of gas equipment, only red options are suitable
Inspection of cylinders. How to find out the service life
Household propane cylinders are metal sealed containers of a certain volume for storing gas. The material of manufacture is a steel alloy with the addition of chromium and molybdenum. From the manufacturer, they fall into free circulation. They are used in specialized companies as equipment, in enterprises, in everyday life among the population.
Each cylinder is accompanied by the issuance of a paper passport from the manufacturer. Data is duplicated in the form of metal inscriptions on the back of the case, next to the hallmark of the enterprise.
The technical condition of the cylinders should be strictly controlled in accordance with GOST 15860. To determine the possibility of further operation, an examination procedure is carried out.
Subject to a survey once every five years:
- products released before February 2014 can last up to 40 years;
- products manufactured after February 1, 2014 - up to 20 years.
The “metal passport” indicates the date of manufacture of the product, volume, weight, date of the last survey. According to the rules of use, cylinders without metal passports or with fuzzy inscriptions are not refueling and cannot be exchanged.
Data on the mass, production date, date of the last certification are applied on the case of the nameplate. It is important to take care of the product so that the labels are clearly read, otherwise the cylinder will be taken out of service
And it is right. The “life” of each cylinder proceeds differently: some products are in constant use, while others may gather dust in the garage for years to be used for certain purposes at the right time.
Do not forget that faulty equipment for storing hazardous substances (gas) can cause trouble.
Why you should not refuel at usual gas stations?
The question of whether it is possible to refill domestic gas cylinders at gas stations, it is worth considering in more detail. According to the law, it is only possible to sell liquefied gas at specially equipped points. But many car gas stations, bypassing the law, are trying to make money on it.
When purchasing gas at such a gas station, consumers should remember not only legal liability, but also the danger posed by an incorrectly filled cylinder.
Refill household cylinders only in points where there is special equipment and a license. Compliance with the rules indicated in the poster is a prerequisite to guarantee safety.
And the risks are great if:
- capacity is not checked for leaks;
- inspection control, and therefore serviceability, is not carried out;
- but the most important thing is that at gas stations there is no way to check the occupancy rate provided for by the approved standards (85% of the volume).
The free zone creates a “steam cap” that prevents gas expansion. For example, when heated under the sun. How much liquid substance is needed is easy to calculate by dividing the nominal volume by 1.43. For example, for a cylinder designed for 22 liters, it is enough to add 15.38 liters of liquefied gas.
If there is no shut-off device, the work is carried out literally “by eye”, therefore the possibility of overfilling the tank is great, and therefore, the possibility of catastrophic risk increases.
Therefore, before filling an empty gas cylinder at a gas station, make sure that the station has special equipment for this, including a weighing scale. But it is better to fill the tanks at special gas filling stations to ensure guaranteed weight control.
Before refueling, the cylinder is weighed so as not to exceed the permissible mass parameters after refueling
Services of gas filling stations
These are companies that refuel gas in any permitted containers. The gas filling station should be equipped with special equipment that determines the method of gas filling.
There are three ways to refuel:
- pumping;
- pump and compression;
- pump and evaporative.
The name of the equipment speaks for itself. These are pumps, compressors for creating high pressure, an evaporator, heater for providing high pressure. Also should be present: hoods, gas storage tanks, technical equipment (density meters, dispensers).
A mobile modular station is a variant of a small gas distribution station for refueling oxygen cylinders; it is most often used for medical institutions or construction enterprises that use oxygen for welding.
Gas filling stations offer cylinder replacement services, provide safety training, as well as examination and suitability for operation
Large stations use cylinder filling stations with electronic weighing systems, including an industrial controller and a gas supply valve. When installing the cylinder on the cargo receiving platform of the scale, the amount of residues and the mass of new arrivals are automatically recorded.
Upon reaching the desired volume set in advance on the electronic unit, the gas supply automatically stops.
Rules for refueling cylinders
Safety requirements apply to filling a standard cylinder. Mandatory marking "compressed gas" and a special sticker signal an explosion hazard.
Equipment must be checked according to the following parameters:
- serviceability;
- the presence of residual pressure;
- valve or valve defects;
- the presence of rust on the surface, peeling of the material;
- dents or damage.
Before refueling, condensate and gas residues are removed from the cylinder, it is checked for good condition.
At specialized stations, inventory is used - a hose for gas intake with valves, an adapter - adapter.
Which is better: exchange or refueling?
There are two ways to get a cylinder with the gas necessary for the gas boiler, stove, outdoor lighting lines, etc. to operate: refuel your tank or exchange it for another tank that has already been refueled.
In the first case, the cylinders are left at the station for 1-2 days, the consumer receives his full container.
In the second - a quick exchange of empty capacity to full. Consumers themselves can choose which way to use. The second method is faster, but you get someone else's equipment, perhaps not the newest. The cost depends on the type and volume of gases. Standard case: 200-300 rubles.
What problems can lurk when refueling
Nuances that are important to know about filling gas cylinders:
- Some Chinese cylinders have thin walls. They are not designed for heavy loads. It must be remembered that cheap equipment may not pay off due to high risk.
- Active gases are prone to fire and explosions, therefore, it is especially necessary to carefully monitor the volume (85%) when filling with propane, oxygen, methane.
- To use domestic gas at low temperatures, it is better to use winter mixtures of propane butane, with the advantage of propane, since butane is unsuitable for winter operation.
In order to prevent the occurrence of these problems and risks associated with the replenishment of the stock of liquefied explosive substances, it is necessary to think through the process in advance and provide for all the nuances.
A high-quality cylinder and compliance with the rules of operation is the key to safety. Refers to this characteristic should be given special attention.
Replacing the cylinder with a new one, repair
Sooner or later, the cylinder wears out, the valve may fail, the surface will begin to delaminate. Almost every city has a replacement or repair point for cylinders. You can give old and get a new product, with an extra charge of about 1,500 rubles. This is a good alternative to buying new equipment.
If the valve is to be repaired, it is being repaired or completely replaced. The cylinder itself can be sanded and painted. The cost of a new empty cylinder for propane: from 2,500 to 600 rubles, depending on the materials of the manufacturer.
It’s more profitable to buy large cylinders - a 50-liter capacity is enough to cook on the stove for a small family for 2 months
Replacement Procedure, Transport Safety
The design of the cylinders differs by the presence of a closing valve KB-2 or technical valve VB-2 according to GOST 21804–94. In versions with a valve, there is a quick-detachable reducer that reduces pressure when a flame occurs.
The gearbox is attached to the main hose through a fitting with a small mounting clamp:
- The gearbox is attached to the cylinder with the valve by pulling it on the neck of the valve with an o-ring.
- It is connected to the valve by means of a thread on the valve union, in another case, by the union nut of the gearbox. In points of replacement a special disposable gasket is issued.
If the gas pressure is noticeably reduced and goes to "no", do not squeeze it to the last drop:
- Turn off the gas, turn off the valve and begin replacing the cylinder.
- Remember that the gearbox has left-hand threads. Unscrew the gear nut clockwise.
- Replace the cylinder.
- Prepare the paronite gasket for replacement. Tighten the nut counterclockwise. The cylinder should stand strictly upright (never turn it over).
- Be sure to close the tap of the old cylinder, put the plug and protective cap. This is important because a certain volume of gas always remains in the cylinder.
Always shut off the faucet if the stove does not work.
Transportation of cylinders is carried out only with safety caps and caps. When transporting, check that the crane is closed and protected by a cap.
Some important operating nuances
Simple rules will help you to conveniently and safely use cylinders in cottages and in country houses:
- Do not smoke when replacing the bottle. It is forbidden to keep open fire close by, to check for leaks by means of fire (lighters or matches).
- Keep the valve fully open, and with the devices turned off, fully closed.
- Do not operate the power tool in the immediate vicinity of the cylinder so that sparks on the rotor conductive brushes do not flash when there is an imperceptible gas leak.
Compliance with the requirements for the competent and accurate operation of liquefied gas tanks is the norm that guarantees the safety of the user and others, as well as the safety of property.
The following article will familiarize you with the nuances and rules for filling gas cartridges required for burner operation. We recommend reading some very useful information.
Filling a fifty-liter bottle. Specialized gas stations have the necessary equipment. Cylinders are necessarily checked for integrity, the valve is inspected. Refueling time is approximately 5-10 minutes. Observed safety precautions:
Use gas equipment carefully. Try to protect the housing from shock in order to prevent gas leakage:
After replacing the bottle, inspect and evaluate the density of the connections, make sure there are no gas leaks. You can coat the compounds with foam from a soap solution and observe:
A gas stove is the best option for domestic use when there is no centralized gas pipeline. Knowing how to properly fill a gas cylinder at a gas filling station with the necessary equipment, performing safety measures during transportation and operation, you can make life comfortable and convenient.
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