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One of the most common questions we hear is "How much pressure in LPG cylinder?"
So, how much LPG cylinder pressure do you have and how much do you need?
First, some background regarding how much pressure in LPG cylinder:
• The pressure inside of an LPG cylinder, or larger vessel, is dependent upon the temperature of the
vessel.
• The higher the temperature, the higher the pressure of the LPG within the cylinder.
• The pressure of LPG (propane) goes from 0 kPa (0 PSIG or 0 bar) at -43ºC to 2482 kPa (360
PSIG or 24.8 bar) at 70ºC.
• The LPG – propane – exists as both liquid and vapour (gas) within the cylinder.
• The term “pressure” refers to the average force per unit of area that the gas exerts on the inside
walls of the cylinder.
LPG (Propane) Cylinder Temperature - Pressure Chart
How much pressure in LPG cylinder? It depends...
As temperature rises in an LPG cylinder, so does the pressure.
For example, the pressure is 0 kPa (0 PSIG or 0 bar) at -43ºC and goes up to 2482 kPa (360 PSIG or
24.8 bar) at 70ºC.
The LPG is both liquid and vapour (gas) inside the cylinder.
LPG (Propane) Cylinder Pressure Chart
Temp Temp Pressure Pressure Pressure
ºC ºF kPa PSIG Bar
70 158 2482 360 24.8
60 140 2013 292 20.1
54 130 1794 257 17.9
43 110 1358 197 13.6
38 100 1186 172 11.9
32 90 1027 149 10.3
27 80 883 128 8.8
16 60 637 92 6.4
-1 30 356 51 3.6
-18 0 152 24 1.5
-29 -20 74 11 0.7
-43 -45 0 0 0
Note: Some numbers have been rounded.
How much pressure in LPG cylinder? See chart above.
Units of Measure for Pressure
There are 3 commonly used units of measure for pressure: PSIG, kPa & bar.
PSIG is pounds per square inch gauge. PSIA is pounds per square inch absolute.
1 atm = 14.7 psia = 0 psig = 101.325 kPa
kPa, or kilopascal, is a metric unit of pressure and part of the International System of Units (SI).
The bar is also a metric unit of pressure, but is a non-SI unit.
1 bar = 100 kPa = 0.987 atm = 14.5038 psia
Propane Tank PSI
Propane tank PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) all depends on the temperature.
The higher the temperature, the higher the propane tank PSI.
A 20lb (9kg) propane tank has the same propane tank PSI as larger propane tanks, at a given
temperature.
At 100°F, a propane tank of any size, including a 20lb propane tank, has a propane tank PSI of 172
PSIG.
At 130°F, a propane tank of any size has a propane tank PSI of 257 PSIG.
PSIG (pounds per square inch gauge) is the gauge pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.
There is also PSIA - pounds per square inch absolute - for pressure relative to a vacuum rather than
the ambient atmospheric pressure.
In what State is the LPG Inside the Cylinder?
LPG is liquid in a cylinder with an area at the top of the cylinder where it turns
into vapour.
The LPG gas vapour is held in the top of the bottle and the liquid LPG at the bottom, as shown in
the accompanying image.
LPG cylinders are typically filled to 80%, meaning 80% liquid and 20% vapour.
This percentage changes, with the liquid LPG decreasing as you consume the gas.
LPG Pressure Relief Valve (Propane Pressure Relief Valve)
If the cylinder is exposed to excessive heat, the LPG pressure relief
valve allows the gas to vent, keeping the pressure within safe limits. LPG pressure relief valves are
incorporated into the main LPG valves. It’s actually a safety valve within a valve.
This can also be known as a propane pressure relief valve.
The pressure relief valve is integrated into the main gas valve on the bottle, as shown in the
accompanying picture.
This eliminates the possibility that the cylinder will rupture or explode.
The worst thing that can happen is the venting gas ignites and you have a plume of flame.
This will self-extinguish after the pressure drops to a safe level or when the cylinder runs out of gas.
This is why you always want to use your BBQ outdoors and away from your home or other
flammable materials.
LPG Boiling Point
LPG (Propane) Vaporisation: