Temp at which LPG freezes

Most of the probs are with the small butane stoves that use the small cylindars for their fuel supply.

Hi,

Have never had a problem with the propane gas stoves that uses a proper gas cylinder.

But have had many problems with the portable stoves using the disposible butane gas cartridges, the cartridges freeze up, you need to keep swapping them and thawing them out to make brekky on a cold morning.

Regards, Mark

Never actually seen it freeze as such.
The problem is that the gas doesn't boil out of the liquid at low temps and high pressures in the cylinder.

LPG (propane) liquifies at -44C at atmospheric pressure. And it has to absorb heat to boil off the gas you need.

Propane’s vapor pressure (the amount of pressure required to keep LPG liquid at ambient temperatures) is zero at -44°F (-42°C), about 120 psig at 21C (70°F), about 250 psig at 50C (125°F).

Have had problems with cylinders at -5C and below.

Once when camping at -10, had to cuddle the bottle to warm it up enough to heat some water to pour over the bottle to warm it up enough to boil the kettle. :o)

Did think of putting the bottle on the stove (was a very low flame at that temp), but thought that was a bit dangerous.

Wifes doesn't appreciate being asked to share a sleeping bag with a cold gas bottle, so don't even try. :o(

Best solution is not to be first up in the morning.

Hope that helps.

Ron

I think your question should be:
"what is the boiling point of LPG?" ie at what temperature does the liquid stop converting to a gas.

Once the liquid stops boiling it produces less prussure in tha canister and therefore less gas comes out.

according to this
www.ausetute.com.au/usehydrc.html

propane is -42.1
butane is -0.5

don't know what the mix is of the two maybe some chemist out there know and can explain the partial pressures.

R.