Forkliftaction.com

DISCUSSION FORUMS : Forkliftaction.communicate

My forum profile

Printable version

Discussion Forums Home

Forum:

Technical arena

Discussion:

LPG Fuel

Number of messages: 8

START MESSAGE:

vic_k
Ayrshire, United Kingdom

In my experience, the composition and quality of LPG fuels varies widely throughout the globe. Propane/Butane mixes can vary from 50/50 to 100% propane, yet all is classified as LPG. Also inclusions in the gas can play havoc with sensitive vaporisers. Witht he advent of legislation driving exhaust emissions, surely there should be standards set which are recognised globally, for the mix and purity of LP gases? Anyone else have an opinion they want to share?

Posted 24 Sep 2004 01:09 AM

Report this message

REPLIES:

Sort replies by

vic_k
Ayrshire, United Kingdom

Apparently no-one else on the globe feels strongly about this topic - yet the quality of LP fuel can have a direct effect on uptime, productivity, safety and cost of ownership. Forklift machine reputations are also affected as no-one seems to consider the importance of using LP gas with the right calorific value and without gumming impurities which clog up sensitive systems. Finally, when the truck fails to start, very often the operator will try to get it going by fiddling with the gas system. This can have disastrous effects. Would be interested in anyone's comments on the foregoing.

Posted 8 Oct 2004 07:24 PM

Report this message

charlie_j
California, United States

Good points Wayne. The oil in an undesirable product produced when the liquid LP boils (vaporizes) in the pirmary chamber. Some regulators are designed to allow the engine to ingest some of this product as it is produced, others are not.

Personally I have not had success reducing the oil by regulating the temperature or the flow of coolang in regulator

-------------------------
Take time to do the job right the first time, or you will have to make time to do the job over

Posted 5 Nov 2004 04:02 AM

Report this message

Liftdoctor
Indiana, United States

The mixture of the fuel is not a big deal since trucks are coming out with computer controlled fuel systems. They will compensate for fuel mixture the keep the truck running clean just as a cars compensate for the pecentage of alcohol in the fuel. I think that fuel quality has been blamed over the years for LPG fuel system problems. It was usually worn out parts in the fuel system. I have never taken apart an LP regulator with more than a couple thousand hours on the truck and not dumped the oil out of it. I may be wrong, but I always figured the oil was normal since LP gas is a by product of oil refineing. I just figured there is always going to be some oil left in the fuel.

Modified 8 Feb 2005 01:51 PM
by poster.

Report this message

bigthunder
Washington, United States

Sure the fuel quality can be extremely different.Oil is a bye product during the vaporization and can cause problems.I have the answer that you'r looking for.Drain the regulator on PMI'S.You can get most of it out.It will increase the life of your regulator.Until they regulate fuel quality it's a must.

-------------------------
"That's how I roll"

Modified 7 May 2005 02:47 PM
by poster.

Report this message

etharp
North Carolina, United States

I have to agree with the need for HD-5, however I am pretty sure you will get MORE oil (not less) from a regulator that does NOT reach 180degrees F. than one that is hot, so I ain't so sure it is 'truly' a by-product of a "too hot" regulator, as someone else pointed out. (try using a truck without a coolant theromostat, or a 140degree thremostat, and see how quick it gums up).
I also agree fully that draining the crude out of the reg during PMs is a must, or you can sell many more regulators or regulator rebuilds, kind of like how you can sell many more motors if you don't change the oil ever.

-------------------------
registered linux user #167806 (http://counter.li.org/)

Posted 11 May 2005 03:39 AM

Report this message

ron_s
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Hello -I am new here and would like to know where I can get information on Basic LPG Systems -re How it works-Info related to LPG and its functions !!
thanks

-------------------------
Have a great one!! ron

Posted 8 Jul 2005 08:30 PM

Report this message

Forkliftaction.com accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to the rules. Click here for more information.

FORUM GLOSSARY

Click for description.

FORUM

DISCUSSION

MESSAGES

NICKNAME

SIGNATURE

FORUMS

Discuss: Industry News & Whispers

Discuss: Conferences, trade shows & other events

Discuss: Mechanical Troubleshooting

Discuss: Technical arena. Did you know? Who knows?

Discuss: Machines. Forklifts, stackers, telehandlers, container handlers and reach stackers

Discuss: Business issues

Discuss: Safety, training & legislation

Discuss: Fun at work