Composite cylinders also provide an interesting alternative to steel.

Unlike steel cylinders, composite LPG cylinders are designed to a performance

based standard and type approved to that standard. The main standards for
type approval are EN12245, EN14427 and ISO11119.3 – these standards are all
accepted for type approval of composite LPG cylinders in ADR and in several
countries not affiliated with the ADR. In the above-mentioned standards, the
cylinder design is approved based on very stringent testing of sample cylinders.

A performance based standard can lead to the production of high quality Example of composite cylinders
cylinders, but the composite cylinder production is dependent on high quality
repeatable production methods. This is assured through an exhaust QA system that can be certified through standards
such as ISO9001 or similar.

As general observation composite LPG cylinders are fully compatible with filling lines for steel cylinders but there
needs to be special requirements for inspection, handling and filling. These requirements are not described in any
standard and might differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is therefore important that the manufacturer
provides a full set of documentation for these procedures.

The composite LPG cylinder manufacturer can also be requested to inspect and verify the filling line prior to
commencement of filling composite LPG cylinders on it.

Valves can either be side filling or top filling. Some examples are shown here.

Existing cylinders and valve combinations in an

established market will have an influence on the
type of filling plant because they present the
current demand profile. The more combinations
of cylinder size and valve design there are will
inhibit the opportunities for full automation.

In some circumstances, it may be more

appropriate to have a combination of filling
options where cylinders can be batched. That
may overcome some of the barriers to
automate. Example of a top filling valve

Example of a side filling

valve

If the LPG market is new and there is an opportunity to standardise on cylinder sizes and valve combinations, then
there will be more opportunities to rationalise and improve efficiencies.

For the manufacture of cylinders, the product certification must be in accordance with the respective national
technical standards.

In Brazil this is achieved through ABNT NBR 8460 (steel cylinders), NBR 15057 (cylinders with plastic)
and NBR 15574 (cylinders with plastic and metal sealant) and all must be certified through accredited
bodies in conjunction with INMETRO – the National Institute of Metrology.

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