Understanding the New LPG Cylinder Valve Transition

13 October 2020

For a lot of property owners, they usually use liquefied petroleum gas or LPG as their main source of fuel for heating and cooking. This specific gas is normally stored in LPG or gas cylinders. And through various types of cylinders, the needed energy for cooking, generating heat, and others are transported and transferred from them to specific appliances or equipment.

The Main Goal of LPG Design Transition

One of the most common types of LPG cylinders is known as leisure LPG cylinders. This type of cylinder has a small form factor and can normally hold around 3kg to 9kg of gas. Leisure LPG cylinders are typically used for portable barbecues and patio heaters. A much larger type of LPG cylinder, alternatively, holds more gas than leisure LPG cylinders and is maximised inside domestic homes. Most large LPG cylinders are connected to gas cooktops and ovens.

Most leisure LPG cylinders that weigh 4.5kg and 9kg are equipped with a Prest-O-Lite (POL) valve, which is the oldest standard for a gas connection fitting. While this specific fitting has been used by millions of LPG cylinders in Australia, a modified and safer version of a gas connection fitting is now advocated to be fitted with this type of LPG cylinders. This modification would then initiate a massive and country-wide LPG design transition that will happen and run for a long time.

Features of the New LPG Cylinder Valve

Currently, LPG cylinders are equipped with a Type 21 POL valve design. But as proposed by authorities and through careful review of various Australian Standards, a new gas connection fitting is needed to ensure the safety of those who will be using LPG cylinders.

Quick close-coupling (QCC), which is known to be the direct substitute to the Type 21 POL valve design, has safety features that would significantly reduce incidents of cylinder connection fires, damages, and injuries. For one, QCC has a check valve that would only allow gas to flow once a tight gas connection is established. This specific connection easily prevents high-pressure gas from escaping the cylinder whenever it is being transported or has been disconnected to the valve. QCC also has a thermal shutoff, which can easily close and remove the gas supply if the connection is caught on fire.

Aside from these features, QCC is likewise equipped with perishable rubber seals on the body of the gas valve. These rubber seals are intended to be replaced every 10 years of use. The purpose of these seals is to assess damages on the valve during the refilling process of the cylinders. And for ease of use, QCC has a large diameter right-handed thread that will allow users to easily operate it without using any tools.

Expectations behind the Whole Transition

The transition to the new LPG cylinder valve will only take place among leisure LPG cylinders. All the needed information about the new LPG cylinder valve transition, as well as the dissemination of the said transition, are being finalised so that everyone will flawlessly adhere to the changes. If everything goes well, LPG cylinders with the new valves are projected to be released on the market in the first six months of 2021. The remaining months of the same year are then dedicated to the fitting of the new compatible connections to portable LPG appliances such as barbecues and patio heaters.

 

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