Propane Driver Training

1
Propane as a Vehicle Fuel
2
Drivers Need to Know

• Introduction to propane
• Properties and characteristics of propane
• Safe vehicle fueling procedures
• Vehicle fueling emergency procedures
• Fueling station safety systems
• Emergency notification procedures
• Emergency evacuation procedures

3
Module 1
Introduction to Propane
4
Module 1Learning Objectives

• Why use propane as a vehicle fuel
• Understand where propane comes from
• How propane is delivered to a fueling station
• Environmental benefits

5
Why Propane?

• Domestically produced from natural gas processing
  and petroleum refining
• Very large base of deployed vehicles in U.S.

6
Why Propane? - 2

• Most readily available alternative fuel
• Delivered to fueling stations by over-the-road
  trucks like gasoline and diesel
• Propane is non-toxic
• Has environmental benefits

7
Propane is Highly Available Nationwide
source PVC
8
Propane Emissions Compared to Gasoline
source PVC
9
Why Propane? - 5

• Does not contaminate ground water or soil
• Is an EPAct alternative fuel

10
Propane Performance

• Fuel economy
• Up to 85 of gasolines MPGs
• Range
• Approximately 80-90 of gasoline vehicle, gallon
  per gallon
• Equal to gasoline on GGE basis
• Fueling time
• Similar to gasoline

11
Module 2
Properties and Characteristics of Propane
12
Module 2Learning Objectives

• Understand propane and how it compares to other
  fuels
• Become familiar with the characteristics of
  propane
• Understand potential health and safety hazards

13
Physical Properties

• Propane not a naturally occurring petrochemical
• Propane is a byproduct of both natural gas
  processing and petroleum refining.
• Chemical composition
• Mixtures of propane, propylene, N- and I-butane,
  and ethane

14
Compared to Other Fuels
15
HD5 Motor Fuel

• Minimum 90 propane
• Ensures adequate fuel to engine
• Maximum 5 propylene
• Propylene reduces octane number
• In the U.S., almost all LPG meets HD-5 motor fuel
  standards, even the LPG used for home heating and
  recreational uses.

source Ford Motor Company
16
Specific Gravity

• Liquid at 60 F 0.504 (Water 1)
• Propane liquid is lighter than water
• Gas at 60 F 1.50 (Air 1)
• Propane vapor is heavier than air

17
Appearance Smell

• Colorless
• Odorless odorized for safety
• Although propane has no natural odor, an odorant
  is added to aid in the detection of leaks.
• The most commonly used odorant is ethyl mercaptan

18
Physical State

• Fuel value, compared to gasoline
• Octane 104-112
• 1.35 gallons of propane 1 GGE (gasoline gallon
  equivalent)
• Propane 91,500 Btu gross energy per gallon
• Gasoline 117,500 Btu next energy per gallon

19
Flammability

• Burns with a pale, faintly luminous blue flame at
  865o F
• Natural gas 1100o F
• Gasoline 630o F
• Fuel-to-air ratio is 2.1 (LFL) to 9.6 (UFL)
• Natural gas 4 to 16
• Gasoline 1.3 to 7.6

20
Fire Extinguishing

• Fire extinguisher(s) located at or near the
  dispenser
• If the flame is extinguished without stopping
  fuel flow, it may re-ignite
• Use a fire extinguisher only if trained to do so
  by qualified person

21
Health Safety Hazards

• Non toxic
• Simple asphyxiant
• Inhalation is primary route of exposure
• Overexposure symptoms shortness of breath,
  unconsciousness
• CPR is recommended to overcome overexposure

22
Module 3
Propane Fueling Stations and Safety Practices
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Module 3Learning Objectives

• Become familiar with various components of a
  propane fueling station
• Become familiar with safety practices
• Understand purpose and function of emergency
  shutdown equipment

24
Fueling Station Components

• On-site propane storage tanks
• Pump
• Dispenser
• Card reader
• Emergency shutdown system
• Fire Extinguisher

source CleanFUEL USA
25
Fueling Station
Compressor/Pump
Dispenser
ESD Button
ESD Button
Tank
Vapor Return
Liquid
Air Line
source Gogas Pty Ltd
26
Example Fueling Station Configurations
Horizontal tank
Vertical tank
source CleanFUEL USA
27
Module 4
Emergency Action Plan
28
Module 4Learning Objectives

• Know purpose and content of Emergency Action Plan
• Become familiar with emergency equipment
• Understand emergency actions

29
Purpose of Emergency Action Plan

• Identification of emergencies
• Action items
• Notification procedures
• Evacuation procedures
• Safety systems
• Emergency event action items

30
Facility Layout

• Propane storage tanks
• Pump
• Dispenser(s)
• Emergency shutdown devices (ESDs)
• Fire extinguishers

source CleanFUEL USA
31
Facility Layout - 2

• Pre-planned evacuation route
• Designated assembly area(s)
• Street address of facility

32
Safety Practices

• Emergency telephone numbers
• Fire department
• Emergency medical help
• Police
• Maintenance
• Adjoining facilities
• Safety Signs

33
Safety Practices - 2

• Equipment inspection
• Defective equipment
• Dispenser hoses
• Fueling nozzle and receptacle
• Report unsafe conditions to maintenance
  technician or station attendant

34
Safety Practices 5

• Cell phones and static discharge danger
• Propane/air mixture is flammable like gasoline
  vapors
• Propane fueling system is sealed so there is no
  air in the fuel system at the station or on the
  vehicle
• Nevertheless, it is advisable to turn off/do not
  use cell phone during vehicle fueling
• Do not re-enter vehicle during fueling

35
Fire Safety Rules

• Keep ignition sources away from propane
• Do not light matches or smoke
• Do not use cell phones while fueling vehicle

36
Gas Release at Dispenser

• Close nozzle valve
• Disconnect fueling nozzle from vehicle and
  re-attach to mounting bracket
• Report situation to facility maintenance and/or
  station attendant

37
Fire Involving Propane

• Evacuate immediate area of fire
• Press emergency shutdown device (ESD) button
• Prevent others people from entering the danger
  zone
• Do not attempt to extinguish propane fire without
  proper training

38
Fire During Vehicle Fueling

• Do not attempt to disconnect nozzle from vehicle
• Direct others to evacuate immediate areas
• Press ESD button
• Call the fire department

39
Combustible Debris Fire

• Press ESD button
• Extinguish only if properly trained and it is
  safe to do so
• If the fire is near fueling or storage equipment,
  extinguishing should be attempted only by
  qualified fire fighters

40
Module 5
Correct Use of Safety Equipment
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Module 5Learning Objectives

• Understand how to correctly operate safety
  equipment
• Emergency shutdown device
• Fire extinguisher

42
Correct Use of Safety Equipment

• Emergency Shutdown Device
• Located on or adjacent to fueling island
• Activation will stop propane flow from storage
  tank to dispenser

43
Correct Use of Safety Equipment - 3

• Fire Extinguisher(s)
• Located on or adjacent to fueling island
• Used to eliminate air (oxygen) from fire
• Driver must be properly trained to fight
  (extinguish) a propane fire

44
Module 6
Propane Vehicle Technology and Safety Features
45
Module 6Learning Objectives

• Understand how propane vehicles (PVs) work
• Understand how PVs differ from gasoline and NGVs
• Become knowledgeable about the two types of
  on-board fuel storage cylinders

46
Propane Fuel System

• Vaporizer Converts liquid propane to gas using
  engine coolant as heat source
• Regulator Provides fuel pressure regulation to
  the mixer
• Fuel injection System Most modern vehicle
  applications are using fuel injection

47
Propane Vehicles vs. Gasoline and NGVs

• Propane vehicles have sealed fuel systems
• No air or oxygen in fuel system
• Vehicle fuel is stored on-board as a liquid and
  is vaporized to burn in the engine
• Vapor heaver than air (like gasoline)
• Vehicle fuel requires over 860o F to ignite
• Temperature relatively high, between gasoline and
  natural gas

48
On-Board Fuel Storage Cylinder 1

• DOT Cylinder types
• One, two or three pieces
• ASME pressure vessel (rated at 312.5 psi, tested
  to 4X)

49
On-Board Fuel Storage Cylinder - 2

• 80 of tank capacity is filled to allow for heat
  expansion (safety device)
• Propane stored at 130-170 psi
• Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture
  resistant than gasoline tank

50
Module 7
How to Fuel a Propane Vehicle
51
Module 7Learning Objectives

• Become familiar with fueling instructions
• Understand fueling nozzle/receptacle operation

source Tatsuno
52
Fueling InstructionsUsing Gas Guard

• Remove cap from vehicle receptacle
• Remove the nozzle from the dispenser holder
• Position the nozzle over lugs on vehicle fill
  receptacle
• Turn front of nozzle 1/3 turn clockwise

53
Fueling Instructions - 2

• Squeeze the nozzle trigger and push down the
  catch to retain the trigger (this will secure the
  nozzle to the fill receptacle and open the fill
  valve)
• Press and hold in the delivery button on the
  dispenser, this will start the filling process
• Release the button to stop the flow
• To fill the vehicle fuel tank, hold the button in
  until the dispenser meter stops increasing

54
Fueling Instructions - 3

• The vehicle tank cannot be over filled
• Squeeze the nozzle trigger, then release. A small
  amount of propane gas will come from the coupling
• Support the nozzle, turn the front of the nozzle
  counter-clockwise, withdraw the nozzle and
  replace it in the holder on the dispenser
• Replace the cap on the vehicle fill receptacle

55
Fueling

• Nozzle operation
• Receptacle characteristics

source LGE