7
$\begingroup$

So I decided to do some bbq for new year's eve. It's snowing here and the floor may be below 0. What I would have never expected is that the gas bottle would get stuck to the floor so strong that I cannot detach it now.

Why do you think it happen? Does the gas bottle get colder when in use for some thermodynamic law? I don't really see how. Ok that gas is leaving the bottle through a small valve, but eventhough...

Besides, I tried to pour some boiling water around the base but it's like welded to the floor. Do you think it'd safe to pour more water?

enter image description here

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
  • 5
    $\begingroup$ Indoor? Outdoor? Wet? Dry? Wood floor? Dirt? Concrete? Marble? Carpet? $\endgroup$
    – rob ♦
    Dec 31, 2020 at 20:18
  • $\begingroup$ Outdoor, wet floor. Concrete. $\endgroup$
    – daniel sp
    Dec 31, 2020 at 20:25

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
17
$\begingroup$

When using the fuel, the liquid propane goes through a phase change into a gaseous state. The remaining liquid becomes colder because vaporization takes heat energy. You can see the frost line on the outside of the canister, this is the approximate level of the cooled liquid inside the tank. If temperatures are already close to 0°C the cooling liquid could easily drop it below 0°C freezing any condensation or water between the tank and the floor. If gas is not being used for a while the tank will slowly warm up to the surrounding temperature. It should be safe to pour some warm water on the base as it would take a good bit to heat the propane to a dangerous temperature which would be a lot higher than 0°C.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ If paranoid, use 30°C warm water. A propane bottle can trivially handle a warm day without bursting. $\endgroup$
    – vidarlo
    Jan 1, 2021 at 11:40
  • $\begingroup$ I would think it unlikely that evaporative cooling was the main cause, because the metal base would have kept the gas container part from touching the floor. More likely is that the container was warm from being kept inside, so it melted existing ice on the floor, which then refroze. $\endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Jan 1, 2021 at 17:41
  • $\begingroup$ @jamesqf Perhaps, but from the frost level on the canister I doubt the liquid propane was at or warmer than the outside temperature. $\endgroup$
    – Adrian Howard
    Jan 1, 2021 at 19:43

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.