1、BSI Standards PublicationBS 4250:2014Specification for commercialbutane and commercialpropanePublishing and copyright informationThe BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the documentwas last issued. The British Standards Institution 2014Published by BSI Standards Limited 20
2、14ISBN 978 0 580 83133 1ICS 75.160.30The following BSI references relate to the work on this document:Committee reference PTI/15Draft for comment 14/30283904 DCPublication historyFirst published as BS 4250, January 1968Second edition, August 1975Third edition published as Part 1, September 1987Fourt
3、h edition, August 1995Fifth edition as BS 4250, October 1997Sixth (present) edition, November 2014Amendments issued since publicationDate Text affectedBS 4250:2014 BRITISH STANDARDContentsForeword iiIntroduction iii1 Scope 12 Normative references 13 Sampling 24 Composition 25 Properties of commercia
4、l butane and commercial propane 26 Precision and interpretation of test results 3AnnexesAnnex A (normative) Method of calculation of gauge vapour pressure fromcompositional analysis of commercial butane or commercial propane 5Annex B (normative) Method of test for odour of commercial butane orcommer
5、cial propane 6Annex C (normative) Method for determination of hydrogen sulfide incommercial butane or commercial propane 8Annex D (informative) Explanatory notes on properties and test methods 11Bibliography 12List of figuresFigure B.1 Apparatus for assessing odour of commercial butane or commercial
6、propane 7Figure C.1 Test paper holder 9Figure C.2 Apparatus for determination of hydrogen sulfide in commercialbutane or commercial propane 10List of tablesTable 1 Limiting requirements for properties of commercial butane andcommercial propane 4Table A.1 Factors for determining the gauge vapour pres
7、sure of commercialbutane and commercial propane 6Table D.1 Gauge vapour pressures 11Summary of pagesThis document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,pages 1 to 12, an inside back cover and a back cover.BRITISH STANDARD BS 4250:2014 The British Standards Institution 2014 iF
8、orewordPublishing informationThis British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence fromThe British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 30 November 2014. Itwas prepared by Technical Committee PTI/15, Natural gas and gas analysis. A listof organizations represented on t
9、his committee can be obtained on request toits secretary.SupersessionThis British Standard supersedes BS 4250:1997, which is withdrawn.Information about this documentThe changes in this edition of BS 4250 are intended to align, wherever possible,the requirements of this standard with BS EN 589:2008+
10、A1:2012 to reflect thesituation that some UK refineries manufacture liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tomeet both standards. A number of test methods required by the previousedition of this standard have now been withdrawn, so these have been replacedby up-to-date test methods. Annex A has been updated
11、to align withBS EN 589:2008+A1:2012, Annex C, including the alignment of gauge vapourpressure factors. Flammability limits have been updated in line with latestguidance.This British Standard calls for the use of substances and/or procedures that mightbe injurious to health if adequate precautions ar
12、e not taken. It refers only totechnical suitability and does not absolve the user from legal obligationsrelating to health and safety at any stage. Attention is drawn to the safetywarnings given in the introduction to this standard.Presentational conventionsThe provisions of this standard are presen
13、ted in roman (i.e. upright) type. Itsrequirements are expressed in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is“shall”.Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented insmaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.Contractual and legal considerationsTh
14、is publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of acontract. Users are responsible for its correct application.Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legalobligations.BRITISH STANDARDBS 4250:2014ii The British Standards Institution 2014IntroductionSAF
15、ETY WARNINGS. Attention is drawn to the risk of fire and explosion whenhandling commercial butane or commercial propane, and to the hazard tohealth which arises through inhalation of excessive amounts of commercialbutane or commercial propane.Commercial butane and commercial propane are highly volat
16、ile hydrocarbonliquids which are normally stored under pressure. If the pressure is released,large volumes of gas are produced which form flammable mixtures with air. Forn-butane this is typically over the range 1.4% (v/v) to 9.4% (v/v), and forpropane this is typically over the range 1.7% (v/v) to
17、10.8% (v/v). The proceduresdescribed in this British Standard involve the sampling, handling and testing ofcommercial butane or commercial propane. All such procedures should beconducted away from sources of ignition such as naked flames, unprotectedelectrical equipment and electrostatic hazards. Te
18、sting should be performed asfar as practicable under an electrically-safe ventilation hood.NOTE 1 The lower flammability limits for propane and n-butane are aligned withBS EN ISO 10156. The upper flammability limits for propane and n-butane arealigned with the latest European Industrial Gases Associ
19、ation (EIGA)1)guidance atthe time of publication of this standard.Commercial butane or commercial propane in liquid form can cause cold burnsto the skin. Protective clothing such as gloves and goggles should be worn ifcontact with the skin is likely to occur.Unnecessary inhalation of commercial buta
20、ne or commercial propane vapourshould be avoided. The operator should not be exposed to atmospherescontaining more than 1 000 ppm (1 750 mg/m3) over an 8 h time-weightedaverage reference period (long-term exposure limit), or greater than 1 250 ppm(2 180 mg/m3) over a 15 min reference period (short-t
21、erm exposure limit). Oneof the tests described in this standard involves the operator inhaling a mixtureof air and commercial butane or commercial propane vapour, and particularattention is drawn to the cautionary statement in 5.3.NOTE 2 These exposure limits are taken from HSE publication EH 40/200
22、5 1. Theworkplace exposure limits given in the latest edition should be observed.1)See last viewed 24 November 2014.BRITISH STANDARD BS 4250:2014 The British Standards Institution 2014 iiiBRITISH STANDARDBS 4250:2014This page deliberately left blankiv The British Standards Institution 20141 ScopeThi
23、s British Standard specifies requirements for commercial butane andcommercial propane as supplied for general domestic and industrial fuelpurposes. It applies to these products in cylinders and in bulk.NOTE 1 The requirements apply at the point of custody transfer. Withdrawal or lossof product from
24、the vapour phase changes the composition of the productremaining in the liquid phase. Hence the product might then cease to meet specifiedrequirements.It does not cover gases for testing gas appliances.NOTE 2 For gases to test gas appliances, see BS EN 437.2 Normative referencesThe following documen
25、ts, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in thisdocument and are indispensable for its application. For dated references, onlythe edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of thereferenced document (including any amendments) applies.ASTM D2163, Standard test method
26、 for determination of hydrocarbons inliquefied petroleum (LP) gases and propane/propene mixtures by gaschromatographyASTM D3246, Standard test method for sulfur in petroleum gas by oxidativemicrocoulometryASTM D6667, Standard test method for determination of total volatile sulfur ingaseous hydrocarb
27、ons and liquefied petroleum gases by ultraviolet fluorescenceBS 2000-272, Methods of test for petroleum and its products Determination ofmercaptan sulfur and hydrogen sulfide content of liquefied petroleum gases(LPG) Electrometric titration methodBS 2000-317, Methods of test for petroleum and its pr
28、oducts Determination ofresidues in liquefied petroleum gases Low temperature evaporation methodBS EN 1439, LPG equipment and accessories Procedure for checking LPGcylinders before, during and after fillingBS EN 13096, Transportable gas cylinders Conditions for filling gases intoreceptacles Single co
29、mponent gasesBS EN 15469, Petroleum products Test method for free water in liquefiedpetroleum gas by visual inspectionBS EN 27941, Methods of test for petroleum and its products Commercialpropane and butane Analysis by gas chromatographyBS EN ISO 3696:1995, Water for analytical laboratory use Specif
30、ication and testmethodsBS EN ISO 4256, Liquid petroleum products Determination of gauge vapourpressure LPG methodBS EN ISO 4257, Methods of test for petroleum and its products Liquefiedpetroleum gases Method of samplingBS EN ISO 4259, Petroleum products Determination and application ofprecision data
31、 in relation to methods of testBS EN ISO 6251, Liquefied petroleum gases Corrosiveness to copper Copperstrip testBS EN ISO 13758, Methods of test for petroleum and its products Liquefiedpetroleum gases Assessment of the dryness of propane Valve freeze methodBRITISH STANDARD BS 4250:2014 The British
32、Standards Institution 2014 13 SamplingFor all test methods, sampling shall be carried out from the liquid phase inaccordance with the procedures described for liquefied gases in BS EN ISO 4257.NOTE The method described in ASTM D3700 may be used, subject to agreementbetween supplier and customer.WARN
33、ING. Attention is drawn to the need to observe relevant safetyprecautions for handling commercial butane or commercial propane duringsampling operations.4 Composition4.1 Commercial butaneThe product shall consist of a hydrocarbon mixture containing predominantlybutanes and/or butenes.NOTE Commercial
34、 butane as defined in this British Standard meets the requirementof ADR, the European Agreement concerning the carriage of dangerous goods byroad. Commercial butane is defined as a pure gas in accordance with ADR 2definition Note 2 in Section 2.2.2.3 and can therefore be assigned to UNNumber 1011.4.
35、2 Commercial propaneThe product shall consist of a hydrocarbon mixture containing predominantlypropane and/or propene.NOTE Commercial propane as defined in this British Standard meets therequirement of ADR, the European Agreement concerning the carriage of dangerousgoods by road. Commercial propane
36、is defined as a pure gas in accordance withADR 2 definition Note 2 in Section 2.2.2.3 and can therefore be assigned to UNNumber 1978.5 Properties of commercial butane and commercialpropane5.1 GeneralThe properties of the commercial butane and commercial propane shall be inaccordance with Table 1.For
37、 gauge vapour pressure, either the direct measurement method described inBS EN ISO 4256 or the calculation procedure described in Annex A of thisstandard shall be used. The method described in BS EN ISO 4256 is the referencemethod and shall be used in cases of dispute.5.2 Water contentCommercial but
38、ane and commercial propane shall not contain free or suspendedwater at 0 C and at the saturated vapour pressure on visual inspection.Additionally, for commercial propane, the content of dissolved water shall notbe such as to cause failure when tested in accordance with the valve freezemethod describ
39、ed in BS EN ISO 13758.NOTE For operational purposes, it is allowed to add up to 2 000 mg/kg methanol.No other antifreeze agents should be added.BRITISH STANDARDBS 4250:20142 The British Standards Institution 20145.3 OdourWhen tested in accordance with the procedure described in Annex B, the odourof
40、the gas shall be in accordance with Table 1.NOTE 1 Odorants such as ethanethiol, tetrahydrothiophene or dimethyl sulfide maybe added so that the gas conforms to this requirement, provided that the product isstill in accordance with Table 1.NOTE 2 If ethanethiol (ethyl mercaptan) is added as an odora
41、nt, it may be assumedthat the commercial butane or commercial propane conforms to the above odourrequirements, provided that the content of ethanethiol in the liquid phase is not lessthan 14 cm3/m3.NOTE 3 If tetrahydrothiophene is added as an odorant, a higher concentrationthan that for ethanethiol
42、is required because of the lower olfactory response oftetrahydrothiophene. It may be assumed that the commercial butane or commercialpropane conforms to the above odour requirements, provided that the content oftetrahydrothiophene in the liquid phase is not less than 77 cm3/m3.WARNING. In order to m
43、inimize the exposure of personnel conducting theodour test, it is strongly recommended that the test should only beperformed when it has been ascertained that commercial butane orcommercial propane already meets the other specification limits detailed inTable 1. The test involves the operator inhali
44、ng a mixture of commercialbutane or commercial propane vapour and air. There is a risk that theshort-term and/or long-term (8 h TWA reference period) occupationalexposure limits for substances contained in the commercial butane orcommercial propane might be exceeded. The operator should consult rele
45、vantsafety and health regulations and ensure that exposure during the sampling,handling and testing of commercial butane or commercial propane does notexceed the prescribed limits.As a guide, and provided the commercial butane or commercial propanebeing tested conforms to the requirements listed in
46、Table 1, an operatornormally remains within recommended occupational exposure limits providedinhalation of the commercial butane or commercial propane/air mixture doesnot exceed three 10 s periods during each test and not more than two testsper hour are performed in the course of an 8 h working day.
47、 This guidanceonly takes account of the operators exposure whilst conducting odour tests.Other potential exposures should be assessed in order to estimate totalexposure.5.4 Filling ratios and developed pressuresThe maximum filling ratios and developed pressures for the containers in whichthe commerc
48、ial butane or propane is supplied shall conform to BS EN 1439 orBS EN 13096.6 Precision and interpretation of test resultsMost of the methods of test given in Table 1 contain a statement of theprecision, i.e. repeatability and reproducibility, to be expected from them but, incases of dispute, the pr
49、ocedure described in BS EN ISO 4259, which usesprecision data in the interpretation of test results, shall be used.BRITISH STANDARD BS 4250:2014 The British Standards Institution 2014 3Table 1 Limiting requirements for properties of commercial butane and commercial propaneProperty Commercialbutane limitCommercialpropane limitTest methodGauge vapour pressure, at 40 C(measured or calculated) (kPa), max.(see D.1)505 1550 BS EN ISO 4256 orAnnex A (see 5.1)Total sulfur content (mg/kg), max 200 200 ASTM D3246A)
