The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) of San Antonio is testing samples of poor quality propane that has impacted on performance of forklift engines.

SwRI is asking for industry help in gathering the samples of propane, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), says Mike Ross, SwRI program manager. "We are looking at various methods-possibly filters or additives-to reduce a range of contaminants in the fuel."

SwRI began the forklift engine LPG study on April 20 under a one-year USD701,500 contract from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) of Washington, DC.

"We need a worst-case fuel for a standardised test," Ross says. "We do not know if we will get to that kind of test."

For use as needed, SwRI created a kit enabling a user of contaminated propane to collect, package and send samples for evaluation.

"People are having problems with vaporisers filling with oil," Ross explains. "We want to better understand the factors that may lead to vaporizer deposits and how to control them."

Regarding propane contamination, "there is a lot of anecdotal data out there," says Greg Kerr, PERC director of research and development. "We want to sort out what in the field is causing the problems."

LPG is normally transported through pipelines and some tanker cars and is routinely exposed to a variety of foreign substances.
Once SwRI reports its findings, PERC will determine if additional research is warranted.

The 1996 federal Propane Education & Research Act authorised an ongoing assessment of 0.5 cent per gallon of odorised propane gas. The proceeds fund PERC safety, equipment and awareness efforts in support of the propane industry.