LPG Cylinder Lifespan

LPG Cylinder Lifespan

Time Limits Applied to the Life of LPG Cylinders

Some countries are obliged to scrap their cylinders after a mandatory period regardless of condition. Other countries with no age limits have evidence of cylinders in circulation that are in excess of 40 years old.

In Mexico cylinders are withdrawn after 5 years, in Taiwan 30 years and in Morocco 40 years.

One interesting observation was made in Japan where once the cylinder reaches the age of 20 years it then has to be re-qualified every two years thereafter. The cost of requalification then becomes significantly higher for the older cylinders.

The effect of this might encourage early disposal of second hand cylinders that are approaching 20 years old to avoid increased operating costs.

The risk is that these might be exported to other countries – where the import of second hand cylinders is not disallowed - in a usable, and qualified, state where they may not be subjected to the same level of scrutiny in the future.

LPG Cylinder propane butane cooking gas energy