The Gas Works News Blog

Technology is constantly evolving as the pioneers of the future keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and improving on safety, convenience, price point, and functionality. This is true even for the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry.

Without innovation, it’s safe to say we would still be using wooden carts with square wheels to move around, and where LPG is involved, plastic is the new round.

In this article, we talk about composite gas cylinders and why they are the future for gas all over the world.

What is a Composite Gas Cylinder?

Firstly, it’s important to understand what composite material is: it is a combination of two or more materials, each with its own unique physical and chemical properties.

When these materials are combined, they create a material which is specialized to do a particular job. In other words, composite material is created to be stronger, lighter, safer, and more resistant to the external environment in which it is used than its traditional counterparts.

Composite LPG cylinders consist of three different layers:

1. An outer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) jacket
2. A polymer-wrapped fiberglass composite layer
3. A blow-molded HDPE inner lining

Benefits of a Composite Gas Cylinder

The following are major benefits of a composite gas cylinder:

• They are lightweight
• They are translucent, making it easier to assess how empty the cylinder is, making sure you never run out of gas unexpectedly
• They are resistant to rust and corrosion, increasing safety as well as preventing damage being done to surfaces
• More elegant design which improves aesthetics
• 100% explosion proof

Although gas is a cost-effective, reliable alternative to electricity, without the correct safety measures in place, it can be dangerous. Gas is naturally volatile and highly flammable and even more, it is stored in a highly pressurized environment.

Steel vs Plastic Gas Cylinder

Steel gas cylinders have been used for decades and have served as a safe and effective way to store LPG, as long as the correct safety guidelines are followed. However, accidents can and do happen and, unfortunately, LPG accidents can be fatal.

Damaged, unmaintained and illegally installed steel cylinders are most at risk of exploding, called a bleve.  This is where a pressurized vessel ruptures.   

However, with composite gas cylinders, these risks are reduced dramatically so they are widely used in the yachting and boating industry. 

Besides the low corrosive element they have the following properties:

Stable Storage Conditions

Because metal is an excellent heat conductor, steel gas cylinders are extremely susceptible to extreme temperatures. Therefore, there are strict guidelines in place for the safe storage of gas cylinders. However, composite gas cylinders are incredibly heat resistant, therefore making them easier and safer to store.

Leak Resistant

Note we didn’t say leak proof and there is an important difference. Composite gas cylinders can still leak, but their layered design allows gas to escape gradually rather than all at once which is what causes an explosion.

Lightweight

We mentioned this in the previous list of benefits, but this feature pertains to safety too. Because composite gas cylinders are up to 50% lighter than steel cylinders, they are easier to carry, transport, and store, reducing the risk of damage being done to the cylinder and as we already know, a damaged cylinder is a dangerous one.

The Gas Works – Registered Gas Installers in Cape Town

Although composite gas cylinders have already penetrated the South African market, they have not yet taken over. However, for all your home or business gas installations and gas appliances, we recommend considering choosing composite gas cylinders.

We are registered gas installers and offer a wide range of gas installation services in Cape Town.

Please contact us for more information.