The Process Of LP Gas Cylinder Testing
LP gas cylinder testing an important task that should not be delayed. Just like any other form of energy, LP gas can be safe when treated and contained properly. However, due to its nature, if the cylinder that contains it fails, the results can be horrific.
The Australian Standard requires that a LP gas cylinder be inspected and tested every 10 years. The test’s expiration date, showing the month and year, should be stamped clearly on the gas container. It may not be easy for you to see the testing expiration date on the tank. If that is true, an Autogas service technician will be the best person to advise you when the cylinder is due to be tested.
Filling LP gas cylinder that are damaged or untested, is illegal and can be dangerous.
An expired LPG cylinder should not be used until it has been tested at a certified test station. If the certification period will expire before the next scheduled vehicle service, arrangements should be made for the gas container to be re-inspected and restamped at a certified gas cylinder test station before then such as LPG Auto Power.
The Process Of LP Gas Cylinder Testing
The tank will be taken out of the car for full examination, there no getting around this. If there is LP gas remaining in the tank, it must be fully purged before the inspection process can begin.
The outside of the cylinder is checked for signs of corrosion, bulges, dents, gouges or any other type of damage and wear. If there is any sign of the above, it is assessed against the government standard and determine whether it will pass or fail.
For an internal exam, the valves are taken out of the tank. An internal visual examination is performed with LED lights , mirrors and a borescope to check for corrosion, scaling and heat damaged areas. Contaminations are cleaned out, valve threads and sealing surfaces are cleaned and inspected.
Every valve’s condition is also checked, along with it’s operation. The pressure relief valve is discarded and a new valve is installed for every re-test of an LP gas cylinder. The automatic fill limiter, content level arm, service tap and excess flow valves are checked for wear and correct operation, and replaced if needed. The valves are re-installed, all seals are replaced and all threads are re-sealed.
For pressure testing, the LPG tank is pressurised to 330 psi or 2.3 Mpa. All welds are checked for leakage, as well as valves and fittings. If there are no pressure leaks and defects of the tank have been detected, it is re-stamped with the new inspection code and a new certificate is issued.
For more information on LP gas cylinder testing, please view the following government website:
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/atoms/files/auto_lp_gas_safety.pdf
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