How to insulate a gas cylinder on the street in winter: the best ways to warm

Cylinder gas is classified as a “summer cottage” option for fuel delivery and is used where it is not possible to connect to the gas main. If for a stove one cylinder with propane-butane is enough, then several have to be connected for servicing the boiler.

Using tanks filled with liquefied gas is simple, but in winter there may be problems - the gas freezes or falls out in the form of condensate. As a result, the stove or boiler ceases to function. We will figure out how to insulate a gas cylinder on the street in winter so that the fuel supply to the house is stable.

Rules for installing gas cylinders

The need for heating gas cylinders arises when low street temperature cools them, which slows down gas production. As a result, the working volume of fuel is reduced, it is necessary to produce more often gas station.

In addition, there is a risk condensation, which also impedes the flow of gas to the burners - for example, to a stove or boiler.

The traditional way to install gas cylinders is in a metal cabinet (casing) on ​​the street, in the immediate vicinity of the home gas equipment to which you are connecting

The metal walls of the cabinet protect the cylinders from mechanical damage, wind and moisture, but do not heat them. The air temperature inside the casing is equal to the outdoor temperature. Cold is transferred to the tank body and cools the fuel, which is in a liquid state. At low temperatures, the transition to a gaseous state is hindered, condensation occurs, and the properties of the fuel change.

The most negative consequence of the action of the cold is a stop in the supply of fuel to the house, which can block all economic activity.

Sometimes the consequences of exposure to cold are obvious: the lower part of the cylinders is covered with hoarfrost. This does not mean that the gas will necessarily stop flowing to the stove, but it signals the possibility of such an outcome

For refueling, two components are used - butane and propane. They differ in characteristics: liquefied butane at low temperatures loses its properties, and propane, on the contrary, does not work in the heat.

By combining the components in standard proportions, they get the optimal mixture for use in the climatic conditions of a particular region. Read more about the proportions of different types of gas in the mixture - in GOST 20448-90.

Given that the temperature amplitude, depending on the warm or cold season, changes dramatically, two types of gas are used - winter and summer. They differ in the percentage of propane and butane.

The regulatory documentation on cylinder insulation technologies does not say anything. For example, in SNiP 31-02 - the main document on the gas supply of a country house - the requirements are set out only for the installation of fuel sources, information on thermal insulation is missing. That is why gas workers recommend not insulating the cylinders.

Ways of warming cylinders on the street

To save gas mixtures in working condition, the cylinders are insulated in various ways. Some of them are effective, others are useless, and others can be life threatening.

We will find out what is the best way to insulate a gas bottle on the street in winter so that there are no problems with the supply of fuel, and the residents could not worry about their own health.

Method # 1 - thermal insulation materials

Despite the prohibitions of gas service employees, owners of private houses often “wrap” cylinders with all kinds of heaters: mineral wool and glass wool, sheets of expanded polystyrene and foam rubber — that is, household heaters that are actively used in building houses, erecting roofs, and flooring.

One of the options for "warming" a gas cylinder. The metal tank is wrapped with insulation in the hope that it will warm up and stop freezing at low temperatures

In fact, wrapping containers with insulation is a frankly primitive and ineffective way to warm gas in cylinders.

Why does this method not work? The fact is that heat-insulating “blankets” are good if the object independently generates heat.

Conventionally, such objects include a human body or a heated room: energy is constantly converted into heat, and the task of heat-insulating materials is to save it

Gas cylinders do not produce any heat, therefore, even wrapped in three layers of mineral wool or polystyrene foam, they remain as cold. Accordingly, liquefied fuel inside does not change its characteristics - that is, no positive changes occur.

Conclusion: if the gas cylinder does not generate heat on its own, this function should be performed by the conditional “insulation” - a device that receives electrical power.

We turn to heat-insulating technologies that can really make a difference and warm gas in cylinders in the winter.

Method # 2 - heating cable

Provided that a serviceable vessel is used, and its installation is made in accordance with all the rules, they use the heating of the gas cylinder with an electric heating cable.

There are many options for thermal insulation systems - from purchased self-regulating cables to homemade products assembled from a wire and a temperature regulator.

The principle of operation of self-regulating cables is simple: they generate heat depending on the ambient temperature. The colder it is on the street, the more heat the electric cable gives off

To adjust the temperature, the wire is connected to the thermostat. Using mechanical models, you can manually set the operating parameters. Self-regulating cables operate in automatic mode and do not require constant monitoring.

To create a home-made insulation system for 3 cylinders, you will need:

• 9-meter electric wire 3 * 1.5;
• 3 temperature controllers - 1 for each cylinder;
• 25 m of thermal insulation material “thermofol”;
• 3 m PVC film;
• 3 m IR film;
• 12 couplers for fixing the insulation;
• mounting kit.

First, the container is wrapped with ordinary PVC film, then with infrared, to which a power cable with a temperature controller is connected. To keep warm, put on a cover from "thermofol" from above and fix it with couplers.

The advantages of a home-made “heater” are the constant cylinder heating when the air temperature becomes low. When heating is not needed, just unplug the plug

The method cannot be called the safest, because the proximity of electric cables and a gas tank under certain conditions is risky.

But if you follow the installation rules and safety precautions, the device can be used throughout the cold season.

Method # 3 - electrical devices

The principle of heating with a heating cable was taken into account, and due to the unquenchable demand for gas cylinders, the most enterprising manufacturers began to produce electric "heating pads". They guarantee high-quality thermal insulation of the cylinders and preservation of the properties of the gas, in which it does not lose its working functions.

Two effective and safe devices can be distinguished:

• thermal blanket for a gas cylinder;
• heater.

Thermal blanket designed to heat standard 50 liter gas cylinders. It is estimated that in the cold season it can save up to 30% of liquefied fuel due to the fact that propane evaporation occurs stably, condensate does not precipitate and refueling is much less common.

The cover is sewn of durable synthetic materials with a heater such as synthetic winterizer, an electric cable in a silicone sheath is placed inside, evenly distributing it over the entire area. For fastening use "flypapers"

The sizes of electric blankets can be different. In addition to standard covers for cylinders, products are also made for heating gas holders. Maintained temperature - +40 ° С (± 5 ° C), power - about 160 W. Energy consumption is economical: at an outdoor temperature of -15 ° С the blanket consumes no more than 80 W / h.

Electric heater differ from the thermal blanket in size: it does not completely close the cylinder, but only its lower part. But the principle of operation is the same: electricity generates heat, which is constantly transmitted to the body of the cylinder.

Sample gas cylinder heater - Polish model Koma PG 2. Advantages: the possibility of using 95% fuel, uniform and complete evaporation, efficiency

Heaters are produced for cylinders of 27 and 50 liters, the heating temperature is +40 ° C. The degree of protection is IP 44, that is, the product can also be used outdoors, provided that the cylinders are enclosed in a metal cabinet.

An alternative way is a warm room

In order not to look for ways to insulate the tanks installed on the street, you can do simpler - transfer the cylinders to a heated room. In comfortable conditions, the cylinders "give" almost the entire amount of fuel, so refueling should be done less frequently, and there are no problems with the movement of gas inside the supply system.

The main thing is to follow the installation and operation rules:

• the cylinder is installed vertically;
• the vessel must be accessible for maintenance, inspection or replacement;
• the distance from the tank to the stove - not less than half a meter, to the radiator or stove - not less than 1 m;
• if the furnace is opposite, the distance is increased to a minimum of 2 m.

One of the main requirements concerns the choice of room for installation.

Do not install in the bedroom, living room or other living rooms. The cylinder is installed in the room where the gas-consuming equipment is located - a stove, that is, in the kitchen

A tank with liquefied gas is usually installed either directly next to the stove, or in an adjacent non-residential premises, throwing the fuel supply hose through an opening in the wall.

Cylinders must not be kept in basements, basements and any other premises that are not equipped with ventilation or a ventilation system.

And remember the important condition: if your house has more than 2 floors, the placement of any gas tanks inside the building is prohibited!

How to warm gas during freezing?

Consider the last questions: what to do if the gas is already frozen and how is it allowed to warm up a gas bottle in winter?

If you notice that the vessel body covered with hoarfrost, fuel flow to the burners is difficult or completely stopped, you can try to warm the cylinder.

In no case can sources of open flame be used - bring lighters, burners, blowtorches, a burning torch, etc. to the body. An explosion may occur with unpleasant consequences.

The result of the "meeting" of a gas cylinder with open fire. Sudden heating causes an increase in pressure, expansion and a powerful explosion, tearing the metal shell

Methods that can be used for one-time, emergency heating:

1. Pour hot water into the vessel or expose it to hot steam. The procedure must be performed slowly, with the valve closed. In the end you should blow gearboxto remove moisture.
2. Use a chemical or salt heating pad, as is the case under field conditions. Chemical heating pads are disposable and last 6-7 hours. Saline ones are reusable, but the heating temperature is up to +50 ° С, whereas the recommended one is +40 ° С.
3. Temporary transfer of the vessel to a warm room. Heating will be more effective if the cylinder is placed near the radiator for a short while.

These measures will not save the fuel source from subsequent freezing, but are able to help out in an emergency.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The simplest insulation with a self-regulating cable:

An example of a homemade heater - video instruction:

Option for heating the box for cylinders:

The question of whether it is possible to warm a gas cylinder on our own remains an open question. If you determine that the fuel supply system has stopped working due to vessel cooling, we recommend that you use safe and authorized methods, taking into account all requirements.

Otherwise, you can “earn” penalties from gas service employees or, even worse, endanger the lives of residents.

Please share your experience if you have ever heated a cylinder in the winter. Leave your comments, make suggestions - the block for communication is located under the article.