Influence and role of L.P.G.

Press, 21 February 1978, Page 21

Influence and role of L.P.G.

A major topic of discussion at this year’s conference will be the increasing influence of Liquified Petroleum Gas (L.P.G.) and the future role it will soon play in the development of the New Zealand gas industry at large. Producers, distributors, vessel manufacturers and end-users are becoming more conscious of the need to be conversant with the many facets of this new fuel resource.

In the manufacturing sector which specifically involves Christchurch there is already increasing activity in the field of tank production. The recent merger of Ceramco and Mason Industry interests wilt see the Christchurch firms of Norman J. Hurll and Co. (N.Z.) Ltd, a major Ceramco subsidiary, and Mason Andersons, Ltd, (two of the largest firms of heavy engineers in New Zealand and the two cmpanies most involved in the manufacture of tanks for the L.P.G. industry) combine their' facilities to the benefit of the industry. From the local view-

point it is good to see a strong combination of interests offering this advanced facility to the country. In addition, the involvement of Christ-church-based firms in the development of the gas industry will give added strength to future growth of L.P.G. usage in the south.

Conference delegates will have the opportunity to view both tanks and other ancilliary plant being manufactured while in Christchurch. Of particular interest at the workshops of Norman J. Hurll and Co. (N.Z.), Ltd, will be the main gas heaters and valve train together with ignition gas heaters and propane vapouriser which are presently well on the way to completion for the Huntly Power Station. The function of the heaters, each 10m in length and 2m in diameter, will be in the boosting of the gas temperature from 1.7 to 10 deg. C. at inlet, when the pressure is between 5170 kPa and 2895 kPa to utilisation outlet between 4.5 and 10 deg. C. at a pressure of 345 kPa.