2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage Identifying Procedures for Purging Containers & Injecting Methanol Prior to Propane Transfer Purging containers is required because air and moisture inside a container can create conditions that generate corrosion. Corrosion will lessen the ethyl mercaptan odorant level of the propane in the customer’s distribution piping, causing a possible safety problem and hazardous situation. In this module you will identify: (1)Procedures for purging propane containers (2)Procedures for injecting methanol into propane containers

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 1 Procedures for Purging Propane Containers Prior to placing them into propane service, the following containers should be purged of air and moisture: New containers not vacuum purged by the manufacturer Containers that were vacuum purged, but lose the negative pressure (vacuum) due to leakage and draw in air Containers open to air for time longer than is needed to replace a valve or fitting

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 2 Procedures for Purging Propane Containers To purge a container: Step 1:Open the service valve to bleed any air from the tank. Step 2:Attach the vapor hose end valve to the service valve with the appropriate adapter. Step 3:Pressurize the container with propane vapor to 15 psig. Step 4:Close the valve on the vapor hose and bleed off the vapor using the adapter on the filler valve.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 2 Procedures for Purging Propane Containers A final vapor charge of 15 psig should be retained in the container before filling with liquid propane. For ASME tanks installed at customer locations, purging can be performed by connecting a pressure regulator set to approximately 15 psig output pressure, between the transport vapor equalizing hose end valve and the container vapor equalizing connection. Use a grounded, flexible LP gas hose for the run. Special attention must be given to purging operations in the field to ensure that air and propane/air mixtures expelled from the container are directed away from people, buildings, other enclosures, vehicles and any potential ignition source.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 3 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Characteristics of Methanol Methanol is poisonous and should never come in contact with your skin, eyes, or mouth. You should always wear gloves and chemical splash protective face shields or goggles whenever you handle, pour or transfer methanol from one container to another.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 3 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Characteristics of Methanol Methanol vapors in confined spaces have an effect similar to ether Methanol must be secured in approved containers Methanol is highly flammable Methanol fires are difficult to see When transferring methanol from a drum to a small container, the containers must be electrically bonded Methanol tends to make propane flash vaporize, producing a geyser of propane and methanol Methanol is an aggressive solvent

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 4 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Storing and Handling Methanol Never leave methanol in a propane transfer hose for an extended period of time. Methanol dissolves the “plasticizers” used in the bonding and curing of hose components. This may weaken the hose walls, causing separation of the material, bubbling, bulges and eventually—a hose rupture.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPages 4 & 5 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into New Vacuum-Purged Containers Figure 2. New Vacuum Purged UG Tank

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPages 4 & 5 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into New Vacuum-Purged Containers Figure 3. Vacuum Transfer of Methanol

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 5 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into New Vacuum-Purged Containers In order to avoid air entering the tank during the methanol transfer, the hose in the methanol container must go all the way to the bottom of the container and the service valve on the tank should be closed before the methanol level gets to the level of the hose opening.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPages 6 & 7 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers Methanol can be injected into containers by using a short length of propane hose with a female ACME connector installed on the container filler valve, while a male ACME connector on the other end is secured to the bulk truck delivery hose end valve adapter. Propane in the delivery hose forces the methanol into the container when the hose end valve is opened.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 7 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers Step 1:Inspect the short hose that will be used to inject the methanol and be sure it is free of hose rejection criteria defects. Step 2:Pull the CTMV delivery hose end to the receiving tank and place it within arms reach of the filler valve. Step 3:Pressurize the container with propane vapor to 15 psig. Step 4:Attach the female ACME adapter of the short hose to the filler valve of the receiving container and tighten to seal the connection.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 7 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers Step 5:Attach the male ACME adapter to the delivery hose end valve adapter and seal it to ensure methanol and propane will not leak out under pressure when the delivery hose end valve is opened. Step 6:Slowly open the delivery hose end valve. If there is not sufficient propane pressure in the hose to open the receiving container filler valve, use the CTMV pump to transfer a few gallons of propane into the receiving container.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPage 7 Injecting Methanol Into Propane Containers Injecting Methanol into Pressurized Containers Step 7:Close the hose end valve and partially loosen the short hose section from the container filler valve, allowing the propane to vent until and the hose is de-pressurized. Step 8:Remove the short hose section from the filler valve and the delivery hose end valve. Step 9:Inspect the short hose section and the portion of the delivery hose deployed for the transfer. Step 10:Properly stow and secure the hoses and the methanol container.

2.3.9 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research CouncilPages ? & ? Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module… Complete the Review on page ?. See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on page ?.