Southwest

Research
Institute®

LPG
LPG Deposit
Deposit Formation
Formation and
and Mitigation
Mitigation
Study
Study

Fourth
Fourth Annual
Annual Texas
Texas Propane
Propane
Technology
Technology Forum
Forum

Michael
Michael G.
G. Ross
Ross
Southwest
Southwest Research
Research Institute
Institute
September
September 12,
12, 2007
2007
Background
 Heavy-ends in LPG can
produce deposits in
engines
 The mechanisms that
control deposit formation
rates are not well
understood
Heavy End Residue Concentrations
Residue
(mL per 100 mL)
Typical LPG Fuel 0.002 – 0.03
ASTM D-1835 LPG specification limit 0.05
Reported levels associated with 0.008 - 2.00
engine performance problems

 Note: 0.05 mL of heavy ends per 100 mL of

fuel equates to 0.5 gallons (8 cups) of heavy
ends per 1000 gallons of fuel
 Heavy End Composition is Important
(PERC Docket 10951)
Typical LPG Composition Heavy End Composition in Fuel Heavy End Composition in Deposits

Heavy
Ends
0.02%

Fuel
99.98%
< C20 > C20
65% 35% < C20 > C20
8% 92%

 Only the heavier components (>C20) tend to form deposits

 The lighter components (<C20) appear to be carried through
combustion
Additives Can Change Location of
Deposits

Intake manifold Intake manifold

deposits without deposits with
additive additive
Additives Can Increase Deposits
Oily Deposit
Without Additive With Additive
Boiling Point Distributions of Deposits
with and without Additive

Fuel Deposit
Fuel Deposit
Without Additive
With Additive

Heavy Heavy
Ends Lube
Ends From From
> C20 Fuel Additive
Questions Addressed by this Study

 What is the range of LPG contaminants

found in the field?
 How do factors like vaporizer temperature
affect deposit formation rates?
 Can filtration be used at the point of use to
remove heavy-ends and prevent
deposits?
 How effective are additives in preventing
deposits?
Project Plan
 Collect and analyze fuel samples from
around the country that are known to cause
vaporizer deposits
 Develop a LPG deposit test fuel specification
 Construct a test rig to study deposit formation
effects under carefully controlled conditions
 Test vaporizer temperature effects
 Test filters
 Test additives (engine testing)
Sample Collection Process
 Site with deposit problem contacts SwRI
 SwRI ships sample kit by air freight
 LPG distributor or qualified SwRI contractor
collects samples
 SwRI contractor handles packaging, labeling,
and hazardous material manifests for return
shipping
 SwRI analyzes samples
LPG Sample Kits
 1L stainless steel cylinder
for LPG samples
 Glass containers for deposit
samples
Fuel Sample Example
 2.0 mL of residue per
100 mL of vaporized
LPG (40x the ASTM
limit)
 Boiling point distribution
similar to gasoline
 Tetraethyl lead
detected
 8% of residue above
C20
 Lubricant additives
detected
Deposit Test Rig Schematic
Status
 Sample collection is in progress
 Test rig design is nearing completion
 Testing is expected to be complete in spring
of 2008
Fuel Samples
 We are seeking additional fuel samples
known to cause vaporizer deposits
 Please contact:
Michael G. Ross
Program Manager
Phone: (210) 522-2690
E-mail: michael.ross@swri.org