What to do with propane canisters

[MarkCO]

Mark, how would one (even a professional “one”) be able to tell if it were filled vs. refilled?
I have zero interest in doing this, just curious.


I do agree with many of you though - the waste on this is bothersome. I just throw them out as well.

All fuels have markers (isotopes) that have slight variations from one fuel source to another. If I have a verified source, I can tell if a sample came from that source or not. It is not cheap to do, but it is pretty reliable. Also, remember that canisters filled by the manufacturer use dried propane. Most (probably all) of the people re-filling are using bulk propane that is not dried, so interior tank corrosion occurs (which is also usually the cause of the tank rupture) and I can characterise that. Also, I microscopically examine the valve and I can see slight marks that are indicative of filling. If you refill, and have an incident, you definitely don't want me as the Forensic Engineer working on your case because I will find out the truth. In most cases, the dots are pretty easy to connect on all three.

The last guy not only had consusive issues, but burns as well. After my analysis, not only did a "suit" against the manufacturer get vacated, his homeowners policy denied the claim. It was messy for the guy and he could no longer work either. It was his attorney and the insurance company attorney who hired me jointly.

[Irving]

Was it a regular homeowners policy, or a farm/ranch policy?

[MarkCO]

Even if they rusted thru from the inside, they wouldn't just blow up- but they could cause a gas buildup that could ignite depending on how you store them.

Actually, most of the time, they do rupture and the released energy is quite significant. It is a physical explosion as opposed to a chemical, nuclear or BLEVE.

[MarkCO]

Was it a regular homeowners policy, or a farm/ranch policy?

Actually Irving, I do not know what type. The attorneys just referred to it generically and I never had it in my file.

[68Charger]

Actually, most of the time, they do rupture and the released energy is quite significant. It is a physical explosion as opposed to a chemical, nuclear or BLEVE.

Interesting- but it's possible you rarely hear about the less violent failures... they just quietly happen and get swept under the rug.

Or is this based on scientific testing, rather than anecdotal cases?

[68Charger]

Isn't Les Fletcher of Plano, Texas that guy that ripped someone off on Armslist taking like $500? Or am I thinking of another Les Fletcher of Plano, TX?

Hmm, no, after thinking about it I'm pretty sure it's someone named Les Fletcher of Plano TX who ripped off that guy on Armslist.

I thought Les Fletcher of Plano, TX was getting married, possibly to avoid accusations that he had several homosexual relationships, some of which may have been underage.

But he also could have ripped someone off on Armslist.

[00tec]

Isn't Les Fletcher of Plano, Texas that guy that ripped someone off on Armslist taking like $500? Or am I thinking of another Les Fletcher of Plano, TX?

Hmm, no, after thinking about it I'm pretty sure it's someone named Les Fletcher of Plano TX who ripped off that guy on Armslist.

What about High Powered Armory LLC, Youngstown Ohio, 44507, (330) 503-2298 ?
I'm pretty sure they were ripping someone off too...

[MarkCO]

Interesting- but it's possible you rarely hear about the less violent failures... they just quietly happen and get swept under the rug.

Or is this based on scientific testing, rather than anecdotal cases?

The cases I work on are, for the most part, ones in which there is substantial injury or property loss. But I also get information from the manufacturers, monitor others testing as well as perform testing, as well as the NPGA information.

[68Charger]

The cases I work on are, for the most part, ones in which there is substantial injury or property loss. But I also get information from the manufacturers, monitor others testing as well as perform testing, as well as the NPGA information.

Good info, thanks for posting it... I had heard that bulk propane sometimes contains water, but didn't know it was enough to cause corrosion inside a container. I'll avoid any long term storage if I do fill any... I don't own one of those devices, but connectors and hoses that can accomplish the same thing. I've got like 2 or 3 empty 1# cannisters, just don't use enough to make it worthwile. Bought a few 2-packs during a black friday sale a while back... here the humidity could rust them from the outside in, too...

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

All fuels have markers (isotopes) that have slight variations from one fuel source to another. If I have a verified source, I can tell if a sample came from that source or not. It is not cheap to do, but it is pretty reliable. Also, remember that canisters filled by the manufacturer use dried propane. Most (probably all) of the people re-filling are using bulk propane that is not dried, so interior tank corrosion occurs (which is also usually the cause of the tank rupture) and I can characterise that. Also, I microscopically examine the valve and I can see slight marks that are indicative of filling. If you refill, and have an incident, you definitely don't want me as the Forensic Engineer working on your case because I will find out the truth. In most cases, the dots are pretty easy to connect on all three.

The last guy not only had consusive issues, but burns as well. After my analysis, not only did a "suit" against the manufacturer get vacated, his homeowners policy denied the claim. It was messy for the guy and he could no longer work either. It was his attorney and the insurance company attorney who hired me jointly.

My goodness, I had no idea all this was possible.
Good info. Completely useless to me, but interesting as all get-out!