ELGAS Knowledge Hub

Residential LPG Cylinder Sizes

27 Mar, 2023 | Residential LPG

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With a range of LPG bottle sizes to suit a gamut of needs, here's a quick guide on what size would work best for your residential needs.
Residential LPG Cylinder Sizes

LPG gas bottle sizes for every situation

LPG gas cylinders are grouped by size and application. Here are some products available from Elgas.

LPG for homes and businesses: 45kg, 90kg, and 210kg cylinders delivered by truck, forklift, or trolley. Keep two cylinders on-site. When one is empty, swap it for the full one and order a replacement cylinder from Elgas.

Industrial gas LPG cylinder: High-volume users are supplied with a large Industrial LPG Cylinder or have LPG (propane gas) delivered by tanker and pumped directly into an on-site gas storage tank. Large LPG tank sizes can be 50 tonnes or more. A good conversion rate to remember for cylinder capacity is that 1 kilogram is approximately equal to 1.96 litres of LPG.

SWAP’n’GO cylinders: Handy 4kg and 9kg gas bottles are perfect for BBQs, camp stoves, cooktops and more. Available from convenient SWAP’n’GO retailers Australia-wide.

What is LPG bottled gas?

Bottled gas is a flammable hydrocarbon gas (LPG) liquefied through pressure and stored in gas cylinders. LPG is the same as propane but shouldn’t be confused with other gas types such as butane which has a higher boiling point and is most commonly used for propulsion and refrigeration. There is no Argon gas contained in gas cylinders. LPG is used for heating, hot water, cooking, and many other applications.

Cylinder capacity weight and height

Cylinder capacity is generally expressed in litres or kilograms. A good conversion rate to remember for cylinder capacity is that 1 kilogram is approximately equal to 1.96 litres of LPG. The formula to calculate cylinder capacity is the formula for cylinder volume. Cylinder capacity volume = πr²h. However, because of the LPG 20% allowance for ullage, you must subtract 20% from the overall cylinder volume. So, the formula changes for LPG: LPG cylinder capacity volume = (πr²h)×.80
A 45 kg LPG cylinder height is 1250mm. A 90 kg LPG cylinder height is 1300mm whilst a 210 kg LPG cylinder height is 1450mm. LPG gas cylinder height also varies by manufacturer.

LPG gas bottles come in a range of sizes from small portable BBQ gas bottles to large tanks. All LPG gas bottles contain a regulator for a consistently safe gas supply. LPG tanks for commercial applications contain liquid and gas, with LPG liquefying under relatively low pressure. LPG tank sizes range from 0.5 tonnes all the way up to 50 tonnes or more.

Using more than one 45 kg gas cylinder

The typical gas bottle setup for homes and small businesses is to have two 45 kg gas cylinders fitted with gas regulators. The two gas bottles are linked by a changeover valve. When one cylinder is empty, you flip the valve over to the full cylinder. This is your reminder to order a fresh 45 kg gas cylinder. Your Elgas LPG delivery driver will then come to your home and exchange a full bottle for your empty one.

Our 45 kg gas bottle price is based on the world benchmark price that changes monthly. It also depends on your distance from our depot. Contact our friendly customer service team on 0800435427 to get the best available LPG price.

New to LPG? Choose ELGAS.

ELGAS is Australasia's largest LPG provider. Whether you are looking for LPG for your home, LPG for your business, or SWAP’n’GO for your BBQ, contact ELGAS today!

45kg Gas Bottle Dimensions

45kg gas bottle dimensions and weight include:
• 45 kg gas bottle height = 1250mm
• 45 kg LPG cylinder diameter = 375mm
• 45 kg LPG cylinder capacity = 88 litres
• 45kg gas bottle tare weight = 33 kg
• 45 kg LPG cylinder full weight = 78 kg

A 45kg gas bottle can be exchanged or refilled onsite or via LPG delivery and refill tanker trucks. The larger 90 kg gas bottle dimensions are approximately 510mm diameter, 1380mm height and 176L cylinder capacity. The largest domestic 210kg gas bottles are 765mm diameter, 1460mm height and 411L cylinder capacity.

How long will a 45 kg LPG bottle last?

LPG cylinders are a compact way to store long-lasting gas. Here are some examples of typical LPG usage.
• 16 L/min Hot Water used for 20 minutes per day lasts 52 days.
• A 9 MJ Cooktop Burner used for 60 minutes per day lasts 244 days.
• A 15 MJ Gas Heater used for 3 hours per day lasts 49 days.
• A 25 MJ Gas Fireplace used for 2 hours per day lasts 44 days.
These estimates are based on running at maximum setting/rate. A gas bottle lasts longer on lower settings.

9kg gas bottle

A 9kg gas bottle is considered the standard-size BBQ gas bottle. A 9kg gas bottle weighs approximately 17.5 kg, although weight may vary according to the manufacturer. 9kg refers to the weight of the bottle when empty.

Every time you turn on one of your gas appliances, the high-pressure liquid in the bottle starts to boil (vaporise) just like water. The big difference is that LPG boils at -42°C. To boil, the liquid LPG draws heat from the steel walls of the LPG gas cylinder. LPG liquid boils and turns into compressed gas vapour when you release pressure in the gas bottle by turning on your gas appliance.

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