{"id":121283,"date":"2021-12-18T17:04:46","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T00:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=121283"},"modified":"2021-12-18T17:04:46","modified_gmt":"2021-12-19T00:04:46","slug":"lpg-fiasco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/12\/18\/lpg-fiasco\/","title":{"rendered":"LPG Fiasco!"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em><strong data-rich-text-format-boundary=\"true\">Sarath Bulathsinghala<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>18 Dec 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A bouquet of flowers to Dr Deshai Boteju for explaining the\nLPG fiasco in Sri Lanka so clearly for all to understand. What is most strange\nis that there is not a word from the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka on the\nissue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout Sri Lanka major issues with LPG usage in domestic\nenvironments cropped up almost overnight. The majority of these incidents came\nto notice during &nbsp;November and December 2021\nand continue to date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the causes of these explosions are blamed on the\nfollowing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Change of gas composition from 30 % Propane \/\n70% Butane to 50% Propane \/ 50 % Butane<\/li><li>A little or no smelling agent \u2013 Ethyl Mercaptan\nin the gas. &nbsp;Ethyl Mercaptan&nbsp;is what\nmakes propane gas smell. It&#8217;s an additive that is combined with liquefied\npetroleum gas, or LPG, to alert users of a leak.<\/li><li>Gas cylinder attachments \u2013 the cylinder valve,\nthe Pressure Regulator, the hose used outside warranty period.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Share\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WAGNSAuE7gY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Typical recent Gas explosion incidents in Sri Lanka <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is incumbent on the Suppliers \u2013 Litro Gas and Laugf to\nsupply a safe product to the public, state clearly the constituents, include a\nSafety Data Sheet and operating instructions in the vernacular. This should be\naccompanied by safety instructions which include the type of attachments to be\nused and their specifications. These include the gas pressure regulator, the\nhose and the gas appliance such as cookers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121284\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety instructions in a\ntypical LPG set up in Australia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Faulty LPG gas cylinder valve: ideally this should have a\npressure relief valve that can open to relieve excess pressure. This limit is normally\nset to 2585 kPa \u2013 25.85 Barg (375 psig). The gas cylinder maximum bursting\npressure limit is ~ 6895 kPa \u2013 68.95 Barg(1000 psig). Typically, cylinders do\nnot burst under normal domestic circumstances. Many are seen to be leaking from\nthe valve, working well-outside their warranty period. The gas cylinder is a\npressure vessel inside which the gas exists in two phases \u2013 as a liquid and as\na gas at an equilibrium pressure which is equal to the Saturated Vapour\nPressure (SVP) of the gas at that temperature. This pressure is only dependent\non the outside temperature. As gas is released for use through the gas pressure\nregulator, more liquid will boil off to produce more gas till the bottle\nempties out. Till all the liquid is converted (evaporated) into gas the\ncylinder will remain at the SVP of the gas. Once all the gas in the liquid\nphase is over, the cylinder pressure will rapidly fall to atmospheric on use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"355\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-6.png 355w, https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-6-300x249.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>LPG cylinders are\ntypically filled to 80%, meaning 80% liquid and 20% vapour<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary function\nof an LPG gas regulator is to reduce the temperature dependent LPG gas bottle\npressures varying from 400kPa \u2013 4 Barg (58 psig) -1200kPa \u2013 12 Barg (174 psig) down\nto the required 2.75kPa operating pressure for the gas appliances. Gas bottle\npressure varies with temperature but the LPG gas regulator must be able to\nconsistently maintain 2.75kPa (0.4 psig or 11 inches water column) .\n(Australian Specs). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/cr4.globalspec.com\/wiki\/Propane\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">propane<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/cr4.globalspec.com\/wiki\/LP_Gas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LP Gas<\/a>&nbsp;applications\nrequire the use of a regulator. Because pressures in propane tanks can\nfluctuate significantly, regulators must be present to deliver a steady flow\npressure to downstream appliances. These regulators compensate for tank\npressures in excess of 200&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/cr4.globalspec.com\/wiki\/Pounds_per_square_inch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">psig<\/a>&nbsp;\u2013 1378 kPa and\ncommonly deliver 2.75 kPa (0.4 psig or 11 inches water column) for residential\napplications. Propane regulators differ in size, delivery pressure and\nadjustability but are uniform in their purpose to deliver a constant outlet\npressure for downstream requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121286\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This diagram shows conditions\nfor propane gas pressure relevant to an ambient temperature of 1.7 deg C. This\nwill change to 11.2 bar at 35 deg C. However, the outlet pressure should remain\nat 2.75 kPa or 11 inches water gauge for use in utensils such as cookers. This\nis the function of a properly functioning Pressure Regulator. Most countries\nthat use 100% Propane see extreme temperature variations. These include \u2013\nAustralia and the US.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"771\" height=\"283\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-8.png 771w, https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-8-300x110.png 300w, https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-8-768x282.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Schematic diagram of a\nPressure Regulator<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ambient temperature in Sri Lanka varies from a minimum\naround 15 deg C around Nuwaraeliya to a maximum of 35 deg C around Jaffna and\nBatticaloa. Therefore the gas regulators in Sri Lanka should withstand\npressures of a maximum of 500 kPa (72.5 psig) corresponding to 35 deg C for 30%\nPropane to 70% Butane mixture and 650 kPa ( 94.3 psig) corresponding to &nbsp;35 deg C &nbsp;for 50%Propane and 50% Butane mixture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The above-mentioned regulator for Australian Standards is\nwell within this range. It is reasonable to believe that the gas regulators\nused in Sri Lanka even though may not be of good quality, but are manufactured\nto the same specifications. The upper bound 1200 kPa (174 psig) caters well for\nany pressure hikes well beyond the capacity of the gasses \u2013 even 100% Propane\nwith a saturated vapour pressure of 1100 kPa \u2013 11 Barg ( 159.5 psig) at 35 deg\nC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On temperature variation alone \u2013 from 15 deg C to 35 deg C\nthe maximum pressure variation is from 240 kPa for the 30\/70&nbsp; mixture and 340 kPa for the 50\/50 mixture at\n15 deg C to 500 kPa and 650 kPa respectively at 35 deg C. This shows that the\npressure in the cylinder can rise from a minimum of 240 kPa to a maximum of 650\nkPa on temperature variation alone, which is a 270 percent increase! However\nthe gas regulator is supposed to absorb this variation and deliver only gas at\n2.75 kPa (0.4 psig or 11 inches water column) &nbsp;to the gas hose and through that to the\nappliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-121288\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In summary, what can be said at this point in time is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Gas cylinder valves are old, leaky and working\noutside their warranty period.<\/li><li>Increase in cylinder pressure due to change of\ngas composition&nbsp; has led to cylinder\nvalves leaking and pressure regulator malfunctioning, allowing higher outlet\npressures at the user end \u2013 higher than 2.75 kPa. <\/li><li>Utensils malfunctioning due to increased\npressure leading to \u2018poorly burnt gas\u2019 and accumulation of leaked gas in poorly\nventilated areas in a household \u2013 mostly the kitchen. Propane is 1.5 times and\nButane 2.0 times heavier than air.<\/li><li>Explosions of accumulated gas in the presence of\na fire initiator such as opening or closing of an electrical switch, lighting a\nmatch stick or even the use of a mobile phone device making static discharges\nfinally leading to an gas explosions.<\/li><li>Timely servicing and maintenance of all\nattachments to a gas cylinder \u2013 the valve, the regulator, the pigtail hose and\nthe appliance itself is of paramount importance. <\/li><li>Signs of possible problems with a propane gas\nregulator or appliance include&nbsp;lazy yellow or orange flames; a popping\nnoise when turning a gas burner off or on; flames floating above burner ports;\nroaring noises from burners; flames at the burner air intake; flames spilling\nout of the burner; and heavy deposits of soot &#8230;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Most of the technical information above is from internet\nsources)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The quality of the gas supply from overseas should carry an\ninternationally accepted product certificate issued by a certifying authority\nsuch as SGS or similar. From what is seen it is quite apparent that the Sri\nLankan procurement services are \u2018leaking like a sieves\u2019open to abuse and\ncorruption. All major imports including gas, coal, sugar, rice etc etc seems to\nlack transparency. New laws should be brought about to prevent such abuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Product certification<\/strong> \u2013 Whether the supply of gas is\nas per the Sri Lankan specification can easily be verified before shipment by\nan organisation such as the SGS. They supply a variety of services in the case\nof dispute resorting to an organization such as SGS for independent\nverification of products, services or practices. SGS certification is&nbsp;a\ncertificate or report issued by SGS for compliance or testing services\nperformed by SGS&nbsp;on a product or organization according to a country&#8217;s\nstandards, regulations or customer requirements. SGS is the abbreviation of\nSociete Generale de Surveillance S.A., translated as &#8220;General Notary\nPublic&#8221;. SGS is the world&#8217;s leading inspection, verification, testing and\ncertification organization. It is a globally recognized benchmark for quality\nand integrity. SGS is an internationally recognized inspection, accreditation,\ntesting and certification organization with more than 95,000 employees\nworldwide, located in more than 2,400 branches and laboratories, forming a\nglobal service network.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sarath Bulathsinghala 18 Dec 2021 A bouquet of flowers to Dr Deshai Boteju for explaining the LPG fiasco in Sri Lanka so clearly for all to understand. What is most strange is that there is not a word from the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka on the issue! Throughout Sri Lanka major issues with LPG [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-121283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121283\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}