Exploding Gas Canisters: The Hazard of Overheating

I am considering a compressed gas cooking system for ultra-light wilderness ventures. The benefits of weight, efficiency, and ease of use of the Jet Boil and MSR Reactor are attractive. My hang ups regard environmental and practical concerns. While most manufactures advertise these cartridges can be recycled, I find this to be very difficult in most locals. Nor do I see the practicality, on extended expeditions, of hauling multiple canisters.

For these reasons I have been exploring the use of a re-usable composite bottle. Driven by the popularity of paintball guns, small carbon fiber reinforced compressed gas cylinders are mass produced and readily available (http://www.airhog.com/mini_tanks.htm). The compressed gasses typically used in these bottles require higher PSI values then butane or even propane. The bottleneck in employing these tanks for ultra-light stoves is both the valve system and ability to refill them.

For a propone tank under 4 pounds an OPD (overfill protection device) is not required. However, standard propone refill stations (Suburban Propane) are not equipped to handle small tanks. Isobutene and propone/butane mixes are not readily available. We do not have a gas/welding supply outlet in my town so I have not been able to inquire about their capabilities. It appears a personal refill station maybe required.

To my knowledge the Lindal Group does not produce a valve that would work with composite bottles nor designed for refilling. Standard propane valves are heavy and would negate many of the benefits of a re-usable composite bottle.

Has anyone else thought of this? What did your learn? Any ideas regarding valves, re-filling, legality, and hazards are welcome.

Hi Forrest,

I think the bottle you are talking about is called "The Pigmee" and weighs about 3 pounds empty and without the valve assembly. The bottle is aluminum with carbon fiber over it someway.

Great idea just not light.

Hi Forrest,

I have been on the web site and have talked to
Martin at Air Hog.comtwice now.

The total empty weight of the bottle and the valve is just a little less than 4 pounds.

The bottle weighs 2 pounds 3.2 ounces and the valve weighs 1 pound 8.2 ounces. Martin weighed them for me as we were talking.

I gave him this web site and he found it as we were talking. I showed him your comments. He is very interested in any new ways to use their products.

He said he was an Adventure biker – motor – and is always looking for lighter gear. He said he would give BMW a good look over this evening.

He aslo said to give him a call if you need more information about your ideas.

Well, I am reluctant to offer any encouragement here. The potential for an accident is a little higher than normal. But a standard screw-thread gas canister seems a LOT lighter than the ones you are talking about.

> I've imagined exactly what you're describing, if for no other reason than to avoid accumulating all those partial canisters!
I have a lot of totally empty canisters. I do not have more than one or two partially empty ones. I monitor what's left in each canister as I use it (when I get home), and write the weight on the bottom. When a canister has too little gas left for an overnight trip (30 g/day), I use what's left on day trips (8-9 g per morning tea). Works great.

OK, a few canisters get used up while testing stoves for BPL too … :-)