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Composite gas cylinders: features and specifics

For many years, those who used liquefied gas had only one option – metal cylinders. Quite recently, a new product appeared on the market – composite gas cylinders, which in our country have been christened “Euro cylinders”. Our advice site decided to figure out what this innovation is..

Composite gas cylinders: features and specifics

The portal devoted a whole series of articles to the use of liquefied gas cylinders in the household. We also wrote about the construction of a smokehouse from an old cylinder, and how to use liquefied gas in heating a house, and told in detail how to properly connect a gas cylinder to the stove. It has always been about metal gas tanks.

In contrast, composite gas cylinders consist of two parts:

  • An internal, polymer, partially transparent container, a flask, where the liquefied gas is stored;
  • And external, which is a lattice protective casing. It is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) by injection molding.

Safety valves and gates, that is, control valves, are mounted in a ready-made polymer container, a flask, before it is installed in a protective casing.

Composite gas cylinders: features and specifics

The advantages of composite gas cylinders are obvious:

  1. They weigh much less. This is not thick metal for you, this is plastic, albeit super strong. The weight of a 33 liter cylinder is 6.3 kg. So any person alone can move it and connect it to the stove. For summer residents, among whom there are many elderly people with radiculitis, this is an important point;
  2. The flask inside the protective casing is translucent. Therefore, the level of LPG can be controlled. Conveniently, there will be no unpleasant surprise when you are about to cook dinner, and the fuel has suddenly run out;
  3. There are no metal elements, which means there is no corrosion;
  4. Manufacturers assure that with proper operation, composite cylinders can last up to 100 years. So far, for obvious reasons, no one can confirm this, but the warranty period for recertification is 10 years. Which is already good. In addition, during transportation and in case of mechanical stress, abrasions can appear only on the protective casing, the flask itself will remain intact;
  5. Explosion safety! The most important plus, experts say. What happens to a metal cylinder when exposed to high temperature and fire? It explodes, striking everything around with shrapnel, exacerbating the situation. A composite cylinder, when exposed to high temperatures, slowly melts, the gas is completely vented, which eliminates the risk of a powerful explosion.

Important! Experts note that a safe gas relief valve is also installed on metal cylinders. It also helps to relieve internal pressure and reduce the risk of explosion..

Composite gas cylinders: features and specifics

Composite gas cylinders can be used in the same way as metal ones:

  • For cooking, for example, in the country house, summer kitchen, gas grill and barbecue, while hiking on a mobile stove;
  • For heating, for example, in home and outdoor gas heaters;
  • To ensure the operation of the heat gun, generator and welding machine.

Some people might think that since composite gas cylinders are explosion proof, they can be used indoors. Not! In Russia, it is strictly forbidden to use any gas cylinders with a capacity of more than 5 liters in living rooms! So for larger composite cylinders, you will also have to attach a special metal box, which should be located at the blank wall of the wall, at a distance of at least 5 meters from the basement and basement floors, as well as the entrance to the building. Read the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Russian Federation No. 390 “On fire safety”.

Composite gas cylinders: features and specifics

Composite cylinders also have disadvantages. Firstly, not every ordinary gas station is ready to refuel them. According to user reviews, it is a specialized gas filling station that is needed, not the first one that comes across.

Secondly, there is a risk of buying a Chinese counterfeit made of low quality plastic. If the valve breaks in it or the casing cracks, you will have to throw it away.

Thirdly, the price of really high-quality Norwegian-made composite cylinders, for example, is high. If a metal gas cylinder with a capacity of 50 liters with a safety valve costs a little more than 3 thousand rubles, then for a composite cylinder with a capacity of only 12.5 liters you will have to pay almost 6 thousand rubles! The difference is obvious. It is the high price that so far prevents the wider distribution of composite cylinders, despite their advantages..

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Comments: 1
  1. Ella Campbell

    What are the key features and characteristics of composite gas cylinders? Are they more durable and lightweight compared to traditional cylinders? How do they differ in terms of safety measures and regulations? Can they be used for various types of gases? Do they require any special handling or maintenance?

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