australia:fuel_gas
Table of Contents
comparison of gas options for hiking or camping
see also:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaOvPP2K3Fg how to refill gas canisters and which ones you can't refill
Introduction
- there are a range of options for portable gas for hiking or camping, each with their pros and cons
- LPG gas cylinders
- are usually stamped with a TARE weight (weight when empty)
- net weight = weight of gas itself
- gross weight = net weight plus tare weight
- a “3.7kg” gas cylinder usually has a TARE weight of 4.5–6.6 kg and can contain 3.7kg of gas when full so will weigh TARE + 3.7kg when full
- the pressure inside them is generally high at 600-900kPa
- a pressure regulator is usually needed to attach to most appliances and this reduces pressure to a more manageable and controlled 2.75kPa
- caravans often have this regulator at the gas cylinder and thus you don't need to add extra regulators into the system for each appliance connected to the gas line - these must be fitted by licensed gas fitters.
- some appliances have an internal regulator such as the Mr Buddy camping heater, but these may also need a fuel filter to be used at the heater end of the hose to avoid it clogging up
- a 468g propane canister can be refilled from a LPG gas bottle (ie. propane only) BUT CANNOT be legally transported in Australia if refilled
- you need a special adapter, and need to put the 468g canister in the freezer for at least 1hr first and after connecting to the LPG bottle, invert it then open valve until you can't hear it filling any more 1)
- road transport requirements of these “single use, non-refillable” canisters is covered under Section 4.1.6.1.9 of Australian Dangerous Goods Code, 2024, Edition 7.9 and as the manufacturer has rated their pressure relief devices as engineered for a single cycle only - hence cannot be legally transported if refilled as this would violate the standard safety codes and apparently this can mean a fine up to $500,000 or 5yrs imprisonment (presumably the maximum penalty would be if it causes an explosion)
- hiking gas cartridges are made light with thin walls and use a MIX of isobutane and propane - DO NOT refill these with propane only as they may explode as propane has much higher vapour pressures and requires a much stronger cartridge!
- they can be refilled with butane or with a similar butane/propane mix by using an EN417-to-EN417 adapter with an on-off control, but once the vapour pressure in the lower “empty” cartridges equals the vapour pressure in the upper “full” one, the gas transfer will stop leaving the bottom one only half full - gravity alone will not suffice - to address this, place the empty one in the freezer for 30minutes prior and try warming the full one with your hands to create a temperature differential to create a vapour pressure differential - avoid over-filling by continuously checking the weight of the “empty” cartridge as it fills - only refill to 80% of its net weight - ie the maximum refill weight should be the full gross weight minus 20% of the net weight.2)
- LPG gas cylinders must not be transported long distances inside a vehicle
- it is illegal because any leak (eg. valve moved to open during transport) can cause a major explosion!
- the ideal location is secured on a roof rack or possibly in a roof pod - in either case they must be upright and preferably protected from full sun
- the EPA and Safework NSW advise that no more than 1 x 9kg and 1 x 4 kg gas bottles should be transported in the space connected to the passenger compartment (including the boot space) due to the risk to vehicle occupants (presumably this is only allowed for short distances to swap or refill)3)
- 468g propane gas cylinders must not be transported if refilled or repaired (see above) and non-refilled ones must be in an outer packaging, such as a box, or crate, or in shrink-wrapped trays or stretch-wrapped trays4)
- gas may suddenly EXPLODE if
- gas leak in an enclosed space which is then exposed to a spark or naked flame (eg. inside a car, inside a tent/house, inside a BBQ)
- gas container is subjected to high temperatures such as in a fire or being close to stove flames (a risk of butane aerosol style canisters if an overly large pot or pan is used for the device)
- if propane vapour pressure inside LPG gas bottles rises to a critical level which occurs around 60degC, the pressure relief valve will start releasing propane - this could cause an explosion so keep it out of the sun and away from hot areas
- propane also auto-ignites at over 450°C
- gas container is punctured
- you refill a EN417 butane cartridge with propane only
- explosions may also occur if there is a nearby flammable liquid such as petrol exposed to the flames of a gas stove
- sudden large flames may occur unexpectedly
- at a gas leak from a hose connector
- BEFORE lighting a gas appliance and also after turning off the gas cylinder, ALWAYS check there are no leaks using a gas leak detectors
- failure to do so may result in severe burns due to flames from the leak source, or worse, a gas explosion (especially if in a poorly ventilated enclosed space)
- if the burner outlets are blocked, flames may come out the air intake hole
- flammable materials nearby catch on fire
- eg. stove tips over or someone wearing flammable clothes gets too close
- nearly all gas devices can pump out odourless lethal carbon monoxide, especially when on low settings, when gas is running low or oxygen is being consumed in an enclosed space and falling below 19% - ALWAYS use in ventilated spaces - carbon monoxide poisoning - the silent camp killer
How much gas do you need?
- hikers generally can get by with about 25g gas use per day if they are careful and mainly just using it for boiling water for their drinks or rehydrating foods
- many camping devices such as portable heaters use about 120-175g/hr - see gas heaters for camping making them considerably more expensive to run than diesel heaters even if running off a 8.7kg LPG bottle
Comparison of Australian gas options
- the weights below may vary from actual weights depending upon manufacturer
| feature | butane aerosol can | hiking cartridge | propane canister | 2kg LPG | 3.7kg LPG | 8.5kg LPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| main uses | small camp stoves | “pocket” hiking stoves | camp heating, blow torches, camp stoves | gas lights, 2-3 burner stoves designed for 3/8″ | small BBQs, most stoves, camp heaters, pizza ovens | BBQs, large stoves, caravans (fridges) |
| fitting | MSF-1a / A4 bayonet | EN417 screw | BOM / Coleman | Companion 3/8″ BSP-LH valve | LCC27 or older POL | LCC27 or older POL |
| availability | many shops, supermarkets | camping stores only | hardware stores, camping stores | hardware stores, camping stores but refills may be harder to get | petrol stations or hardware swap'n'go | petrol stations or hardware swap'n'go |
| pros | cheap, available | very compact, works in the cold, great option for hikers, small cans can be refilled from larger cans to save money | medium cost | good for gas lights, proprietary stoves | good compromise for car campers with roof rack or pod | best for home use or caravans as very big to transport, but gives the cheapest gas |
| cons | butane will not work near 0degC; need to be used horizontally with the correct part upwards; | expensive, may be impossible to replace in regional areas | moderately expensive unless refill but then you can't legally take camping; need to ensure it has its plastic base otherwise it wont stand vertically | heavy, can't be transported inside vehicles, proprietary fitting, no Swap'n'Go option so may need a new one after 10yrs | heavy, can't be transported inside vehicles | very heavy, can't be transported inside vehicles |
| gas type | butane or isobutane | butane/isobutane/propane mix | propane | propane | propane | propane |
| working pressure | 2atm | 4atm | 14.8 to 17.3 atm? | 14.8 to 17.3 atm? | 14.8 to 17.3 atm? | 14.8 to 17.3 atm? |
| hydrostatic test proof pressure | 24.7 to 29.6 atm? | 24.7 to 29.6 atm? | 24.7 to 29.6 atm? | |||
| amount of gas (net weight) | 220g | 230g/430g | 465g | 2000g | 3700g | 8500g |
| container weight when empty (tare weight) | g | g/g | g | g | g | g |
| container weight when full (gross weight) | g | g/g | g | g | g | g |
| up front empty cylinder cost | nil | nil | nil | $34 | $45 | $55 |
| Swap n Go or gas purchase cost | $11 for 4 ($14 for isobutane) | $13 / $18 | $12.50 | refill | $25 | $35 |
| cost per 100g excl. empty cylinder | $1.25 | $5.65 / $4.19 | $2.70 (but potential to refill from LPG) | $0.68 | $0.41 |
- NB. LPG gas bottles must be within 10 years from the stamped date to be permitted to be refilled
- NB. do not allow gas bottles to heat up by sitting in the sun or otherwise - the vapour pressure inside rises exponentially with temperature and the bottle can potentially start leaking via their pressure relief valve if temperatures inside exceed 60-80degC if their hydrostatic test proof pressure is exceeded
Comparison of gas types
| butane | isobutane | propane | |
|---|---|---|---|
| chemical formula | C4H10 | C4H10 | C3H8 |
| boiling point | 0.4°C | -11.75°C | -42°C |
| Vapour pressure | |||
| at 1.4°C | 109kPa 1.07atm | 166kPa 1.64atm | 507kPa 5atm |
| at 21°C | 215kPa 2.1atm | 311kPa 3atm | 859kPa 8.5atm |
| at 25.6°C | 247kPa 2.44atm | 363kPa 3.6atm | 1013kPa 10atm |
| at 58.1°C | 604kPa 6atm | 852kPa 8.4atm | 2027kPa 20atm 8.7kg bottle relief valves start releasing gas at 2,585 kPa |
| at 94.8°C | 1349kPa 13.3atm | 1723kPa 17atm | 4053kPa 40atm - this is why the bottles can explode in a fire! |
| relative density to air | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.53 |
| flammable concentrations in air with 21% oxygen | 1.8-8.4% | 1.8-8.4% | 2.1-9.5% |
| oxygen levels when carbon monoxide is produced in combustion (tips of the flame will begin to flicker yellow, orange, or reddish) | <19% oxygen | <19% oxygen | <19% oxygen |
| exponential spike in CO production range | 12-18.5% oxygen | 12-18.5% oxygen | 12-18.5% oxygen |
| lowest oxygen concentration needed for combustion (you would be unconscious or deceased at these levels of oxygen) | 12% oxygen | 12% oxygen | 11.5% oxygen |
| flame temperature | 1970°C | 1975°C | 1967°C |
| energy content MJ/kg | 47.4 | 45.6 | 49.6 |
| issues | will not work at near 0°C or below | more expensive than butane | much higher vapour pressure so need much stronger container, you can't put propane alone into a butane/propane cartridge - it will explode |
australia/fuel_gas.txt · Last modified: 2026/08/31 23:04 by gary1