We have a table top outdoor patio heater.
It runs with a small propane tank.
Once we light it, the lamp stays lit and gives off warmth, but the propane tank gets iced over. It's the weirdest thing.
Has anyone else experienced this? Or know why this would happen?
2007-07-09 12:00:47 · 7 answers · asked by Katie M 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is the refrigeration effect of liquid turning to a gas as it passes through a restrictor.
Domestic refrigerators are designed to work in the same way.
You can also check out the same effect by wetting a part of your own body (lick your finger maybe) and then blow onto the wet area. As the liquid on your body evaporates the latent heat required for it to do that is taken from the liquids' surroundings i.e. your skin and it makes that area cooler.
2007-07-09 12:12:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All 1 lb cylinders stop working correctly after 1/2 hr on the patio heaters when u have it over the low setting,no solution except 2 bring extra cylinders out with u 2 begin with,and change over,on low setting it will not freeze up until 3/4 empty or less if lucky,or get adapter hose so u can use 20 lb cylinder instead, but have to hassle with big tank,but will work correctly 4 many hours because u have gallons of fuel
2014-11-19 01:41:53 · answer #2 · answered by shawn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are propane heaters which are designed for inside use. This would be MUCH preferrable to using a heater made for a garden. The big consideration is Carbon MONOXIDE. This is a seriuos killer, so don't play around with your safety. You will ABSOLUTELY want a CO detector.
2016-03-15 01:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the explanation, but is there a solution? The flame on the heater is robust when first lit, but deteriorates as the cylinder frosts up (and the gas flow diminishes.) Heating the cylinder would probably help, but seems dangerous. Insulating it probably wouldn't help, as the cold is generated from within. Suggestions??
2007-07-09 13:24:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
propane in the tank is under pressure in liquid form. when release to the atmosphere, the pressure decreases rapidly, and turns into a gas. this changing state from liquid to gas for propane lowers the temperature, much like freon.
2014-05-01 00:08:19 · answer #5 · answered by Jay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is common propane is VERY cold when it is in a tank as it is put in, in a liquid state its like condensation.
The liquid turns into a gas thats the part you use
2007-07-09 12:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As gas expands, it gets cold. That's what you have here. ~
2007-07-09 12:09:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋