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[tonyH]

Evening All,

Had a phone call the other day regarding the change in gas mix by some suppliers from straight Butane/Propane mix to Butane/Isobutane/Propane and the effect on performance of some burners.

Some cans give the full data and some don't, so have any of you had problems with any specific makes and what seems to have the highest calorific value, assuming constant(ish) gas feed pressure?

Tony

[ian kennedy]

Hi tony
I use go gas systems butane/propane mix at 70/30 mix with no problems.
straight butane drops in pressure as the liquid to gas exchange causes the tank and contents to chill.
As a result i have found that straight butane is not so good as you really need to lightly heat the tank to maintain pressure.
I have done this by looping the steam exhaust around the tank in a three pass coil.
I have also tried the iso-butane type cartridges with no significant improvement over th butane/propane mix. It is also more expensive!!
I hope this has helped you

[tonyH]

Thanks Ian,

It all seems to be about keeping the gas temperature up in the main but I've certainly noticed variations in the heating effect from different manufacturers. A number don't seem to have the ratio's on the can, so you don't know whether it's 80/20, 70/30 or whatever, and since the output will vary with the mix the heat up rate will change.

I'll have to start the experiments properly!

Tony

[ian kennedy]

Hi Tony,

 i have been doing a bit of homework on calorific values but not found any conclusive results as yet.

The only real improvement in a higher propane to butane ratio is that the LPG gives a more consistent pressure during transfer.
 I am still experimenting myself with various poker burner/jet combinations in my 3 1/2"x 8" horizontal boiler, having tried various radial ceramics with no success.
hence i think i have tried every canned gas config and type on the UK market.

Is your boiler home made or a commercial one and what method of burner are you using? i do know from experience vertical boilers are far easier and more efficient to steam but to my way of thinking a horizontal gives better running times and looks so much better.
I will try to help more as i get better info

Cheers
Ian

[tonyH]

Hi Ian,

I'll send you a pm.

Tony