Propane Tank Questions

   / Propane Tank Questions #11  
I struggle with the buried tank issue also. I can't think of any reason to bury one beyond just not wanting to look at it. I understand that to an extent. But then we start talking about long term and I've never heard of a solution to analyzing the condition of the tank. Until it fails. That part bothers me enough that I have no problems with looking out my shop window and seeing a propane tank. :)

Okay, I can give you one reason: fire protection. If I lived in an area with wildfires, I would much prefer the tank below ground and protected from ambient heat and fire.

Also, possibly cold protection. At very cold temperatures, propane does not convert to gas. One wouldn't want their heating supply to fail on a -20 or -30 F night. Underground would keep it warmer in most Lower 49 geographies.

So there are two reasons although I agree aesthetics are often a primary rational.
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #12  
I also have a 1000 gal buried tank. It is only 4 years old….will outlive me. So no worries.
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #13  
We have been burying propane tanks where possible for decades. And they are safer under ground then above as long as they are marked so idiots don't drive skid steers or tractors or mowers or ATV over them and shear off the fill valves. ( ask me how I know ). Also the temperature underground remains constant year round +/- Your propane supplier can have a technician test your anode bags and advise if they need to be replaced. Its a cathodic protection service call. A dielectric union or pigtail should also be installed at the tank if you have copper tubing from the tank to the second stage.
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #14  
Okay, I can give you one reason: fire protection. If I lived in an area with wildfires, I would much prefer the tank below ground and protected from ambient heat and fire.

Also, possibly cold protection. At very cold temperatures, propane does not convert to gas. One wouldn't want their heating supply to fail on a -20 or -30 F night. Underground would keep it warmer in most Lower 49 geographies.

So there are two reasons although I agree aesthetics are often a primary rational.

Have two 1,000 gallon above ground tanks in Upstate NY - have never had an issue with freezing when it goes below -20. Don’t think we’ve ever had -30, but have had -25, or multiple consecutive days of , say -10 or so.
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #15  
Have two 1,000 gallon above ground tanks in Upstate NY - have never had an issue with freezing when it goes below -20. Don’t think we’ve ever had -30, but have had -25, or multiple consecutive days of , say -10 or so.
Was going to make the same comment. I have quite a few outdoor tanks for propane generators at remote worksites on mountaintops, etc. Never once have I had a problem with subzero temperatures. Vaporization temperature of propane is -44°F. Not unheard of in the lower 48, but not common either.

The OP was in Virginia, not a state where wildfires are a big risk. I'm not sure burying would help where fires like parts of California have had lately occur.
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #16  
Okay, I can give you one reason: fire protection. If I lived in an area with wildfires, I would much prefer the tank below ground and protected from ambient heat and fire.

Also, possibly cold protection. At very cold temperatures, propane does not convert to gas. One wouldn't want their heating supply to fail on a -20 or -30 F night. Underground would keep it warmer in most Lower 49 geographies.

So there are two reasons although I agree aesthetics are often a primary rational.
Valid points. My shop burned to the ground 12 years ago. 500 gallon tank 20ft from the building. No repairs needed to reuse the tank.

Maybe a "Northerner" on here can comment on the cold issue??
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #17  
As an, ahem, former northerner, who still gets snowed upon regularly, the downside to LPG in the winter time is that the evaporating (boiling) propane in the tank needs to absorb heat from the environment to evaporate. So, the issue is rate. If you aren't pulling very much LPG off of a full tank at -10F, it isn't an issue. If you are pulling a lot of a close to empty tank at the same temperature, it can become an issue.
69FD16CF-CF51-42DA-B34A-A31FA9332295.jpeg


The takeaway from the top chart is that going from 60% full to 10% full can reduce the available flow rate by half or so. Going from 0F to -10F will also reduce the flow rate by half or so. Net, net, you could lose 75% of the flow rate as the tank empties, and the air temperature drops.

Burying a tank keeps the tank much warmer, reducing the issue. The downside is that you should periodically do a cathodic test on the tank/cathode system. If you can't remember when you did the test, it is time. (In my book, at least.)

And, yes, in any place with wildfires, burying reduces the fire and explosion hazard to you and firefighters. Our above ground tank is well away from the house and other buildings for fire reasons.

All the best,

Peter
 
   / Propane Tank Questions #20  
In a fire I thought the tanks pop-off relief would pop and release gas which will burn.... but not "blow up"
I'd worry more about melting the seals out of the regulator or shutoff valve and releasing the propane at tank pressure and no way to shut it off.

My tank did neither.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2015 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan (A48082)
2015 Volkswagen...
2025 25ft. 800Amp Extra HD Booster Cables (A48081)
2025 25ft. 800Amp...
2005 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck (A48081)
2005 Ford F-150...
2018 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback Sedan (A48082)
2018 Honda Civic...
2010 Mitsubishi Fuso FE84D 16ft. Box Truck (A48081)
2010 Mitsubishi...
2008 Ford F-250 4x4 Knapheide Service Truck with Liftgate (A48081)
2008 Ford F-250...
 
Top