Articles from Sunair

Propane Transfer Pumps & Compressors: Applications & Top Brands

Written by Sunair Co. | Aug 31, 2023 6:05:21 PM

Propane is a versatile, petroleum-based fuel widely used for heating, cooking, and powering various industrial processes. Transfer pumps and gas compressors play  crucial roles in a diverse range of industries, providing safe, efficient, and reliable conveyance. 

To guarantee optimal performance, it is essential to incorporate high-quality products from reliable manufacturers with the right equipment to suit your specific applications and system requirements. 

That’s why Sunair Co. carries propane transfer pumps and compressors from the leading manufacturers in the industry to support your operational needs. 

Common Applications of Propane Transfer Pumps & Compressors

Industrial propane transfer pumps are typically centrifugal pumps or positive displacement sliding vane pumps designed to safely support transportation from storage to a receiving tank. Compressors generate pressure to force the gas out of the tank and, in the process, draw out the remaining fuel vapor.

Some of the most common industrial uses include: 

  • Fueling Vehicles

Propane is commonly used as a fuel for forklifts and other material handling equipment in industrial warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants. Propane-powered forklifts offer advantages such as longer runtimes, faster refueling times, and lower emissions compared to electric or diesel alternatives. 

  • Powering Generators 

Propane-fueled generators are often used as backup or primary power sources to ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages, or in remote areas without access to the electrical grid. Industries such as construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing rely on these for reliable power supply. 

  • Manufacturing & Production

Propane has applications in various manufacturing and production processes, such as annealing, curing, and drying in the food processing, textiles, ceramics, and paint industries. Propane-powered equipment ensures rapid and efficient operations, contributing to increased productivity.

  • Agriculture & Horticulture

In the agricultural sector, the gas is utilized for crop drying, greenhouse heating, and pest control. Propane-powered grain dryers remove moisture from harvested crops, preventing spoilage, and ensuring quality. Greenhouses rely on propane for heating during colder seasons to maintain optimal growing conditions for plants. Additionally, it’s used for flame weeding, orchard heating, and poultry house heating in agricultural operations.

  • Industrial Cleaning & Maintenance

Propane is employed in industrial cleaning applications, such as degreasing, surface preparation, and stripping. Propane-driven pressure washers and steam cleaners reach high pressures and high temperatures for effective sanitation of machinery, equipment, and surfaces.

  • Welding & Metal Fabrication

Propane serves as a fuel for oxy-fuel welding and cutting processes in metal fabrication and repair operations. Propane torches combined with oxygen are used for precision cutting, welding, and brazing of metals in industrial applications.

  • Refining & Petrochemical Industries

Propane is an important feedstock in the refining and petrochemical industries. It is utilized in processes such as catalytic cracking, reforming, and alkylation for the production of various petroleum products and petrochemicals.

Propane is considered a highly volatile substance, and depending on specific applications, transfer pumps and compressors often have to meet certain industry requirements and standards to ensure safe operation and compliance with regulations. 

These requirements may include adherence to industry standards such as those set by the National Fire Prevention Association’s NFPA 58 for gas and NFPA 30 for liquid— which outline guidelines for the safe storage, handling, and transfer of propane. 

Propane pumps in a petroleum refinery or fuel terminal usually must comply with the requirements of API-610. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also oversees propane transfer pump manufacturing and operational requirements, ensuring they’re composed of the right materials and systems are designed in such a way to guarantee safe operations, according to OSHA 1910.110(b)(8).   

Adhering to these industry requirements and standards ensures propane transfer pumps provide reliable and secure fuel transference, while minimizing risks and ensuring the safety of personnel and facilities involved.

Top Industrial Propane Pump & Compressor Manufacturers 

Whatever your operation layout or requirements, Sunair can outfit your propane applications with the perfect transfer pumps, compressors, and reliability equipment from the most reliable brands in the industry.

Sundyne

We are proud to carry the complete line of Sundyne petroleum pump products, including Sundyne vertical inline LMV pumps, Marelli vertical turbine pumps, and the HMD Kontro General Service Petroleum (GSP) series, which features a sealless magnetic drive design that increases reliability, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures operating safety. 

This includes: 

  • Sundyne LMV-80x vertical inline direct-drive pumps
  • Sundyne LMV-3xx integrally-geared vertical inline pumps
  • Sundyne Marelli FG and FGB vertical multi turbine multi-stage pumps 
  • General Service Petroleum API 685 OH2, OH4 Sealless Magnetic Drive Pump 
  • General Transfer Sealless Magnetic Drive Pumps 
  • Chemical Service ASME / ISO Sealless Magnetic Drive Pumps 
  • High Pressure ASME / API 685 Sealless Magnetic Drive Pumps

We also provide a range of high-quality, integrally geared single- and mult-stage horizontal and vertical centrifugal compressors designed for petroleum applications, including: 

  • Fit-for-Purpose Line Mounted LMC and Base-Mounted BMC Centrifugal Compressors 
  • API 617 Centrifugal Multi-Stage Compressors

Blackmer

As a trusted provider of top-quality industrial equipment, Sunair also supplies the full line of Blackmer propane transfer pumps, including the LGL and SGL series of Sliding Vane Pumps. 

LGL Series Sliding Vane Pumps are UL listed for propane service and transfer applications, and utilize an innovative sliding vane design manufactured to offer high-level performance, energy efficiency, easy operation, and reduced maintenance costs. 

SGL pumps are designed exclusively for liquid gas transfers and built to deliver reliable, highly efficient performance in a wide range of operating temperatures and pressures. With a ductile-iron construction and variety of seal materials available, these pumps offer greater resistance to both thermal and mechanical shock.

We also stock Blackmer’s highly efficient HD and LB series reciprocating gas compressors. 

The HD or heavy duty models provide quiet and effective propane delivery for an array of different industrial uses, and come in single- and two-stage variations to meet the exact specifications for application requirements. 

The LB vertical and horizontal reciprocating compressors are purpose-built to tackle a wide range of tasks, including rail car and cylinder tank unloading, and vapor recovery applications. 

National Pump

Vertical turbine pumps are commonly used in propane pumping systems because of propane’s high vapor pressure and the resulting low system NPSHA. Vertical turbine pumps can be made as long as required for there to be sufficient NPHSA in the system to ensure reliable pumping. National Pump manufactures heavy-duty API-610 vertical turbine pumps in a wide range of sizes and configurations for reliable propane pumping.

Mechanical Seals, Seal Support Systems & Barrier Fluids

When it comes to supporting your propane pump applications, Sunair also carries AESSEAL’s line of cartridge seals and seal support systems specially designed to prevent fugitive emissions of propane to the environment, as well as Royal Purple’s full spectrum of high-performance synthetic lubricants and barrier fluids made to keep your operations running smoothly for longer.

Trust Sunair for the Best Propane Pump & Compressor Brands 

Sunair supplies propane transfer pumps and reliability equipment from these and other leading brands, all backed by our fully equipped service and repair team that is available 24/7. 

We handle everything from start-up installation, scheduled maintenance, repairs and breakdown services, and even upgrades and replacements. 

Contact Sunair today to speak with an expert about the best pumps for your applications.