Knowledge Centre
A variety of climate conditions can impact the safety and lifespan of LPG cylinders. Factors such as humidity, salinity, extreme temperatures, and other environmental elements can influence their safe operation and filling. Rust is a common problem faced by LPG cylinders in harsh climates. Additionally, harsh climates can affect how cylinders are handled, accelerating wear and tear. At MAKEEN Energy, we have developed solutions to address some of the challenges faced by LPG cylinders in demanding environments.
Protecting cylinders in humid conditions
When exposed to humid conditions, LPG cylinders are at risk of rust and corrosion, which can compromise their integrity and lead to leaks or even explosions. At MAKEEN Energy, we use an innovative paint process to shield cylinders from rust, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
Wet paint or powder?
Wet paint used on LPG cylinders contains zinc as the anti-corrosive agent, however, this paint is rather thick and must be applied by hand resulting in an uneven coating. This process also requires an extensive amount of paint which is expensive. An alternative to wet paint is powder paint. Powder paint comes out even, however, it contains less anti-corrosive agents than wet paint.
An innovative solution
MAKEEN Energy’s solution was to combine these two painting processes. This painting procedure takes the cylinders through a wet paint system. Then they are allowed to vaporize briefly before continuing through the powder paint system and from there to a heat zone of 190°C, which melts the powdered paint layer resulting in a plastic-like surface. The joint effect of the ‘plastic coating’ and the rust-preventing primer seals the surface of the cylinders and protects them effectively and means that cylinders will not need to be repainted for years.
Accelerated wear and tear in extreme conditions
Extreme temperatures and harsh conditions can accelerate the wear and tear of LPG cylinders. This is especially true in isolated areas or regions with challenging environments that require frequent transportation and delivery of cylinders. For example, in cold regions where LPG cylinders are a primary fuel source for heating. Ultimately, increased handling and transport will lead to accelerated wear and tear on cylinders.
Likelihood of accidents rises in extreme conditions
Harsh conditions can result in rough handling of LPG cylinders. Cold or humid conditions can cause condensation on cylinders, making them slippery and harder to grip. In cold weather, wearing thicker clothing can reduce dexterity, increasing the risk of accidents when handling cylinders. Harsh conditions such as these can increase the risk of damage to cylinders and accelerated wear and tear. Additionally, adverse weather conditions may lead to hurried handling, further raising the risks of accidents.
The dangers of damaged cylinders
The consequences of damaged cylinders can be quite dangerous. Cylinders with dents or bulges are at risk of exploding because of a thinning of the steel. These accidents can be prevented with regular and planned cylinder inspections.
Transportation and handling can deform the shroud and foot rings on cylinders. They can bend and become crooked. These deformities make it more difficult to stack, move and process (e.g. in a filling line). Ultimately, this can also result in bulges and dents from accidents while stacking or moving cylinders.
Maintenance and repair can prolong the life of cylinders
The safety risks accompanied with dents in cylinders can be avoided with regular inspection and can be repaired with profitable repair options. Repairing and straightening cylinders with ‘soft’ bulges if often the more profitable choice as opposed to simply scrapping the cylinder.
The shroud and foot rings on cylinders can also be straightened as opposed to changing the shroud and/or foot ring. By doing this you avoid having to perform a far more extensive process that requires different tools.
