Dirty Gas?

Funky Cow · September 20, 2009, 11:05:30 PM

Now then.... getting down to the what I guess is the bottom fifth of my propane tank (which is about 3 foot tall) and running on one oxycon..... my torch is spluttering and 'spitting'. When viewed with the naked eye, kind of orangey sparks all around the periphery of the flame

Is it dirty gas, or my oxycon giving up the ghost? I'm off for a fresh tank of propane tomorrow, so I'll let you know $:-\$

ETS I have cleaned my torch

Bluebottle · September 20, 2009, 11:59:31 PM

The gas bottles should be steamed out every so often as the gas odourant solidifies on the bottom of the bottle another symptom is a particulary strong smell of gas although there won't be any leaks. HTH

Mike 8-)

Funky Cow · September 21, 2009, 12:53:09 PM

Thanks Mike - there has been a strong gas smell at my torch. I checked for leaks as I thought I had a problem, but found none.
Time to get a new cylinder I think!

Cath

Bluebottle · September 21, 2009, 01:03:43 PM

Quote from: Funky Cow on September 21, 2009, 12:53:09 PM
Thanks Mike - there has been a strong gas smell at my torch. I checked for leaks as I thought I had a problem, but found none.
Time to get a new cylinder I think!

Cath

You could try asking for a credit on the unused gas in your cylinder as technically it's faulty, but if there isn't a lot it mightn't be worth the hassle

Mike

Lush! · September 21, 2009, 01:21:57 PM

Hmm, so would you recommend going for a smaller tank Mike?

Bluebottle · September 21, 2009, 03:28:07 PM

Quote from: Lush! on September 21, 2009, 01:21:57 PM
Hmm, so would you recommend going for a smaller tank Mike?

It'll happen with any size refillable tank that isn't maintained properly because the odorant will eventually seperate from the gas I guess if you go for newer looking tanks there is probably less likelyhood as they won't have been in service for so long but really I think it's pot luck. Another thought I've just had is to possibly use the main dealers like Calor or Shell but there is no guarantee as the tanks are quite often filled under contract by other dealers

Mike

Funky Cow · September 22, 2009, 06:40:37 PM

Got a new tank today and guess what? No more flying orange sparks at the outer edges of my flame, but a lovely steady blue one

Thanks for the info Mike

Bluebottle · September 22, 2009, 07:53:14 PM

Quote from: Funky Cow on September 22, 2009, 06:40:37 PM
Got a new tank today and guess what? No more flying orange sparks at the outer edges of my flame, but a lovely steady blue one

Thanks for the info Mike

No problem, quote " I love it when a plan comes together "

Mike

Forester18 · September 22, 2009, 10:23:52 PM

Changed mine yesterday and it is definitely cleaner. Found a good supplier - 11kg £16.80 inc vat and no deposit.
Frederick