How to Fill a Gas BottleFill Propane Tank, How to Refill LPG Gas Cylinder,
How to Safely Decant LPG How to Decant LPG in Service Stations

Instructional video on how to safely decant LPG. This video demonstrates the correct procedure of decanting LPG into a customer's cylinder.

See the full story at:
www.elgas.com.au/blog/1714howlpggasbottlescylindersarerefilledlpgfillingmethods


How to Fill a Gas Bottle by Decanting Fill Propane Tank How to Refill LPG Gas Cylinder

To fill a gas bottlel by decanting LPG is to transfer LPG gas from one cylinder to another using the decanting method. Decanting is the process seen if you have ever watched a service station refill LPG gas cylinder. After connecting the gas bottle to a larger LPG storage tank, the trained operator begins to fill a gas bottle (fill propane tank) until some gas starts leaking out of the loosened bleed screw.

The operator is supposed to stop refill LPG gas cylinder as soon as liquid LPG starts coming out of the bleeder opening.

The liquid LPG escaping is unmistakable, as it looks like a white cloud. This intentional venting of gas into the atmosphere, during the refill LPG gas cylinder, is avoided with the digital scale method.

Decanting can also result in either over filling or under refill LPG gas cylinder, as well as correct refill LPG gas cylinder, depending on the gas bottle and the operator filling it. For example, if the operator is slow to stop the gas bottle refill when the liquid LPG starts to bleed out, the gas bottle could easily become overfilled.

As previously mentioned, over filling a gas bottle is a significant safety hazard.

Overfilling is Unsafe

When over filled, a gas bottle has less than 20% ullage, creating the possibility of the unwanted release of gas to the atmosphere, through the pressure relief valve.

The pressure relief valve is incorporated into the main gas valve on the bottle. It’s actually a valve within a valve that prevents dangerous overpressure situations.

So, overfilling combined with heat can result in gas venting from the pressure relief valve, which creates a significant safety hazard. This is especially true in the warm Australian climate.

How to Fill a Gas Bottle Refill (Fill Propane Tank) is NOT a DIY Procedure

Only trained technicians should attempt to fill a gas bottle (fill propane tank) by either method. LPG gas bottle refill is not a doityourself handyman procedure and should never be attempted by untrained personnel.

The trained operators know all about the appropriate procedures, what personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear, the importance of the proper type of clothing (including material), proper cylinder grounding, static electricity hazards, ignition sources, fire protection and more.

Indepth safety training is mandatory for these technicians.

Doing it incorrectly could result in cold burns (liquid LPG is 42°C), fire or even an explosion, in addition to dangerous over filling of a gas bottle.

The simple message for people who are thinking about trying to refill their own gas bottles…
Just DON’T do it!

Disclaimer:
This video is only a supplement and refresher for those who have completed the Elgas decant training course. It is not the complete training course and other training materials apply.
LPG decanting must not be attempted by untrained individuals.