Is there a thread somewhere that I could be directed to for burping air out of butane tank? I have not been able to come across the procedure for this. If not would someone please explain the process, I have 99.5% N-butane in a 50 Lbs tank.
It would also be a good idea to chill the tank below the boiling point of n-butane before burping.
I just cool the tank to around 32F in an ice bath, and crack the vapor valve. At first there is a high pressure release from trapped air, followed by a lower pressure release of propane. You can hear the octave shift and if you stick you nose close, you can pick up on the smell.
I just cool the tank to around 32F in an ice bath, and crack the vapor valve. At first there is a high pressure release from trapped air, followed by a lower pressure release of propane. You can hear the octave shift and if you stick you nose close, you can pick up on the smell.
G/W is there propane in N-Butane? I was able to use one of my connections down here to order some 99.5 thru AirGas. I didn't get a case of ISO-Butane which leads me to another question, does N-butane have a smell. Up until this point I have not been able to detect a smell when cracking the valve open and I know what ISO-Butane smells like from my past days of tube blasting.
Thanks for all the information guys!!
Basically, you wait until you're ready to use it, purge it then. Which is what HVAC techs do with recycled refrigerants, except that cooling refrigerants isn't required for using them.
If you suspect there is air in the tank get a temp pressure chart an look at the pressure for the current temperature. Make sure the tank is sitting at a constant temp for 8 hours or so to stabilize it with the room it's in.
Put a gauge on the tank and if the pressure is significantly greater than the chart for n-butane then of course burp the tank.
No special procedure needed, other than the tank should be relatively cool if possible.
If you can cool the tank to 35-40 deg F then you won't lose much butane when you vent the tank.
If you cool the tank too far you actually may have less pressure in the tank than atmosphere and risk introducing more air in the tank if you open the valve.
RB