BPO-5-3 propane gearbox is one of the most common models used today. The presence of such a device is necessary, since the liquefied gas inside the tank is under high pressure, which must be controlled.
general information
The purpose of the propane gearbox BPO-5-3 with a pressure gauge is that it lowers the pressure that is created inside the tank. This device is a type of shut-off and distribution valves. The device is designed in such a way as to automatically maintain the initially set pressure level inside the container. Safety regulations require that this device is always painted in a bright red color, the same as that of the tank itself.
Device description
To understand the essence of the BPO-5-3 propane gearbox, you need to know what propane is and why it is dangerous. This type of natural raw material has a good heat release rate. That is, at an ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the heat of combustion reaches 120 kcal / kg. The characteristic is pretty good, but at the same time it is necessary to use gas very carefully, since it has no smell, and even a low concentration of the substance in the air (2.1% and above) is already an explosive mixture. In addition, another danger lies in the fact that it is even lighter than air, for this reason it will rise. This suggests that with a sufficient concentration of a substance in the air, it is a threat to human health.
The purpose of the BPO-5-3 propane gearbox is to perform two functions. The first is the provision of a pre-set pressure threshold when connecting to the capacity of any device. The second function is a guarantee of stable preservation of a given pressure level throughout the entire period of further operation of the tank. Most often, gas welding devices, gas heaters, heat guns and many other types of heating equipment become consumers of this natural substance.
Device types
Currently, there are two types of this device. The first type is single-chamber, which also includes a propane gearbox BPO-5-3. The second type of device is dual-chamber. It is immediately worth noting that the second category of devices is used much less frequently than the first. The fact is that the design of the second group of gearboxes is more complicated, and the only distinguishing feature of these devices is the successive decrease in the pressure of natural gas in two chambers in a row. As mentioned earlier, single-chamber are used much more often and are considered the most common. It is also worth noting that the second digit in the designation of the gearbox shows the numerical value of the pressure threshold, upon reaching which the fuse will turn on. The measurement of this indicator is carried out in MPa.
Design and specifications
The design of the BPO-5-3 Redius single-chamber propane gearbox consists of the following elements:
- shell;
- pusher;
- valve seat;
- reducing spring;
- membrane;
- reducing valve;
- nipple for connection;
- fitting for entry;
- master spring;
- mesh type filter element;
- pressure gauge;
- adjusting screw.
BPO stands for "single-chamber propane balloon." The company "Radius" is one of the largest manufacturers of this type of product.
Of the main technical parameters, the following can be distinguished:
- The first indicator is the maximum amount of natural gas allowed per unit time. This parameter is measured in kg / h. The marking of this value is the first digit after the abbreviation BPO. That is, BPO-5-3 is able to pass a maximum of 5 kg of gas per hour.
- The second parameter is the maximum inlet gas pressure in MPa, which depends on the size of the tank and can be from 0.3 to 2.5 MPa.
- The last important parameter is the output pressure indicator. Most often, this characteristic is 0.3 MPa, which coincides with the performance of consuming devices.
Device connection
It is worth noting that the attachment of any device to the tank with the substance is carried out strictly with the help of a union nut. The thread of this element has a strictly defined position. This is done in order to exclude the possibility of connecting unwanted devices.
The material from which the connecting nut is made is brass. Also, this part is necessarily equipped with a transitional protrusion, which serves to prevent possible leaks of natural gas. It is also worth noting here that if a gas container is used, which was produced according to KLF European standards, then it already has a sealing ring and a filter installed on the nozzle. To connect this type of cylinder, you will need another special adapter.
Essence of the work
Reducer propane BPO-5-3 Redius works as follows. After exiting the reservoir, natural gas passes through an element such as a strainer. From this element, the substance passes into the lower chamber under rather high pressure. After that, in this chamber, the pressure is adjusted to the operating value. In order to carry out this procedure, it is necessary to turn the adjusting screw clockwise. This element will transmit force to the master spring. This element will push the pressure plate, and through the reducing spring, as well as the pusher and the membrane, the force will reach the reducing valve.
After that, the valve will open and there will be a gap between this element and its seat. Through this gap is propane and will enter the working chamber. In order to control the actual pressure, the gearbox is equipped with a low pressure gauge. However, there are also models such as the BPO-5-3 BM propane gearbox that do not have this device in the kit.
Natural Submission
There is such an element as a membrane that blocks the inlet device when the supply of raw materials with the initial rate begins. It is important to note here that the pressure level that will be required for the membrane to work will depend on the parameters of the part itself, on its diameter, area, and also on the settings of the setting spring.
Depending on the degree to which the membrane will overlap the hole, the gas pressure level measured at the outlet of the gearbox will also change. It is worth noting that when the pressure changes, the membrane will begin to jumpwise. Because of this, ordinary household gas gears are often called the "frog." The main difference between such devices from the more advanced BPO-5-3 is that they do not have an inlet gas pressure control unit. The operability of such a device will be determined solely by the physicochemical properties of the membrane itself. Because of this difference, such “frogs” differ from other BPOs in that they have lower performance characteristics. However, at the same time their cost will also be lower, moreover, they are more compact.
Model selection
There are several points that the gearbox must meet in order to be suitable for operation:
- there should be a metal cover tightly fitting to the body;
- there must be a marking indicating the pressure parameters for which the device is designed, in addition, it must be indelible;
- a universal connecting nipple for connecting the sleeve is required (nipple diameter 6.3 mm or 9 mm);
- the case must be made of brass, as the metal is too prone to rust;
- there should be a convenient flywheel that will be responsible for moving the adjusting screw;
- availability of a spare gasket;
- compliance with all safety standards according to state document 12.2.052-81.
It is also worth noting that another important detail when choosing a gearbox will be the indicators of the ambient temperature at which the operation of the device will not pose a danger to others.
BM gearbox
It is worth noting that the propane gearbox BPO-5-3 Krass is an earlier version. Since under this brand they were produced earlier. Now this company has been replaced by the Redius brand.
Models with no gearbox are used to carry out the following types of work: roofing with the use of hot water, hot water; providing heating for rooms such as a garage or industrial premises; also used for gas stoves and water heaters in the food industry.
Such devices have also found their application in everyday life. For example, they are used in cooking at home, for heating water or for seasonal heating of a separate room.