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Propane meter materials
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:23 am
by Essohbe
Would it suffice to use PVC for a propane meter or not? Maybe a piece of schedule 80 just to be sure?
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:57 am
by Technician1002
Only on mild days. On a hot summer day the PVC softens and propane can produce higher presssure. Use a pressure relief valve or venting regulator and keep the pressure under 100 PSI.
If dropped or stress cracks form, I would not trust it. It is NOT recommended.
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:20 pm
by Brian the brain
Expanding gasses drop in temperature.Sometimes dramatically.
In a meter volumes are quite small,but...
PVC gets brittle when cold..
And no...technicians comment does not contradict mine.
Apon expansion temperature drops..but afterwards it warms up and begins to put pressure on the meter.
All this puts even more stress on the pvc over time.
You risk fatique in the material.
A metal one is put together just as easily.
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:29 am
by Essohbe
Yeah, just wondered. I have some gaspipe laying around I can thread the ends for ball valves.
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:32 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
To be honest, you're not really putting that much pressure in the meter though, especially if it's not too tiny.
All this puts even more stress on the pvc over time.
You risk fatique in the material.
If this was really a concern then 150 psi PVC pneumatics would be a big no-no, but clearly, if built well, they are safe enough
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:15 am
by MrCrowley
I agree with Jack, especially since the most likely PVC pipe to be used for the meter would be 1" in diameter or less; which can take a helluva lot of pressure.