butane through a propane regulator - any problems?

[pongoglo]

On returning from Morocco via Spain I had my propane bottles refilled with butane. Not ideal, but it was all they had. Not having a butane regulator to hand (and anyhow if I did it would'nt fit..) I have been running my system through the propane regulators as before. I have a standard two burner cooker and a 2 KW cabin heater of the catalytic type. I know that a butane regulator normally works at 28 Mbar, and a propane one at 37 Mbar, but much to my surprise everything seems to work as before. Anyone know the physics, done this before? Pluses and downsides please!

Thanking all in advance....

M

 

[PhilipH]

On returning from Morocco via Spain I had my propane bottles refilled with butane. Not ideal, but it was all they had. Not having a butane regulator to hand (and anyhow if I did it would'nt fit..) I have been running my system through the propane regulators as before. I have a standard two burner cooker and a 2 KW cabin heater of the catalytic type. I know that a butane regulator normally works at 28 Mbar, and a propane one at 37 Mbar, but much to my surprise everything seems to work as before. Anyone know the physics, done this before? Pluses and downsides please!

Thanking all in advance....

M

Done the same with butane to propane - it works, but no idea why it does so easily. Magic?

 

[VicMallows]

This seems to be an ongoing enigma. Traditionally appliances worked quite happily at EITHER 28mb Butane OR 37mb Propane with no adjustment. (A few countries such as Germany and Norway used 50mb and their appliances were incompatible with 27mb or 37mb).

Then along came a EURO idea to standardise on 30mb for both Propane and Butane.

All very well, but no one has ever offered a convincing argument as to why if previous appliances needed different pressures for Butane and Propane.....new appliances can cope with either gas at a standard 30mb??

At SBS, the apparently knowledgeable representative on the CALOR stand told me 'the new appliances are designed to a COMPROMISE to work on either gas' .

Probably not really an issue where you adjust the gas flow manually to desired level (such as a cooker) .... but very relevant for appliances with a small fixed flame such as a fridge. My 30mb 'universal LPG' fridge most certainly does not like 30mb (or 28mb) Butane and wants a considerably lower pressure. (or, of course, a smaller jet).

 

[ProDave]

Done the same with butane to propane - it works, but no idea why it does so easily. Magic?

I would be VERY wary about putting propane into a butane bottle and using a butane regulator. Propane is at a much higher pressure in the cylinder, quite probably more than the butane cylinder and regulator is rated for.

 

[saltylegs]

I would be VERY wary about putting propane into a butane bottle and using a butane regulator. Propane is at a much higher pressure in the cylinder, quite probably more than the butane cylinder and regulator is rated for.

the OP was talking about the other way around ie. butane into propane cylinders.

In recent years the standard for regulators and appliancies changed, widening the paramaters for both.

I may get a chance to fill in the details if i can find the relevant standards monday or tuesday.
in the mean time "the fuel and pressure provided to each appliance should match that displayed on the data plate for that appliance".

 

[ProDave]

the OP was talking about the other way around ie. butane into propane cylinders.

Post #2 said he had done it the other way round and I was just pointing out the possible danger of that.

 

[Sandyman]

I would be VERY wary about putting propane into a butane bottle and using a butane regulator. Propane is at a much higher pressure in the cylinder, quite probably more than the butane cylinder and regulator is rated for.

Not a worry. Butane cylinder not a problem.

This has to do with the injector size in the appliance and whether or not they will run efficiently at that pressure.

 

[vyv_cox]

I would be VERY wary about putting propane into a butane bottle and using a butane regulator. Propane is at a much higher pressure in the cylinder, quite probably more than the butane cylinder and regulator is rated for.

This is an urban myth. Gas bottles are perfectly capable of taking the internal pressure of either gas. They are massively over strength for their internal pressure, to cope with handling damage. I have an orange Calor propane cylinder in my camper right now that has clearly been a butane one in earlier life, resprayed and marked up by Calor.

Background info - I have worked a lot with natural gas at 400 bar. Bursting discs for this pressure are remarkably thin, in a soft, ductile stainless steel. Certainly less than 1 mm thickness, whereas gas bottles for propane and butane, nowhere near that pressure, are several millimetres thick.

 

[saltylegs]

The cylinders tend to be of multi use for either butane or propane however the valving tends to be different for each gas and the pressure relief valves can be set for different pressures usually a lot lower on butane badged cylinders, these are spring loaded valves not the wak disc type so as they can self reset, I have one that I sometimes use for demos that blows as soon as you try to put propane into it.