Propane Bulk Plant Design & Services

Propane Bulk Plant Services

Learn more about the comprehensive service options we provide for design, construction, supply, support, and more.

Design, Construction, and Services

We design high-quality propane storage systems for easy and safe on-site propane readiness. Turn to IPS for in-house design and engineering as part of our turnkey construction solutions. We provide the following services and materials in our plant construction projects:

• The right bulkheads for secure points of transfer: Choose from bobtail load and transport unload bulkheads that support your facility’s needs. Every bulkhead has pull-away/break-away risers and emergency shut-off valves installed between the bulkhead and propane hose for optimal safety. These propane tank components protect the system in the event of an accidental pull-away from a hose connected to a vehicle. If this incident occurs, the break-away risers sheer off, and the valve shuts off to contain the propane.
• Installation of sturdy pipe supports: We work with schedule 40 black pipe, schedule 80 black pipe, and forged steel fittings for long-lasting connections and support. Piping can be welded or threaded.
• Tank trim equipped with cutting-edge safety and performance features: Each tank trim package has RegO^® internal valves, with relief, globe, and emergency shut-off valves. The kit also includes pressure, level, and temperature gauges.
• Motors to power transfer and additives: Each storage solution includes a three-phase Class 1 Division 1 created electric motor to power its Blackmer^® pump, as well as an injector pump and motor for introducing additives like methanol.
• Complete skid units and piping system kits for on-site installation: These are used for satellite storage configurations and include all necessary hardware for securing the units and implementing safety best practices.

Trained and Certified Personnel

Our team of installation experts and technicians have years of experience customizing and installing propane storage systems. Each of our technicians completes certified trainings to provide high-quality, reliable services, with training and certifications including:

• Algas SDI
• API Pipe Welding
• Blackmer Pumps
• CTEP
• HM126
• OSHA 10
• Rego Products
• And more

On-Site Training and Safety Inspections

When you want your in-house team trained on how to maintain your propane storage system, IPS provides complete on-site training. Your team can learn best practices for daily, weekly, quarterly, and annual maintenance tasks. We also provide training for cylinder fill technicians, local managers, and bulk truck drivers to ensure everyone is familiar with your system’s needs.

To maintain the integrity of your system, we also offer complete safety and performance inspections. Our comprehensive inspections cover safety, leak testing, relief valve inspections, shut-off system inspections, and general performance inspections. Our inspections can satisfy insurance requirements.

24-Hour Emergency Service

Our team is here to help with any emergency. We maintain 24/7 availability for emergency support and can provide emergency equipment to keep service operating during repairs.

Underground Tank Installations

We offer advanced underground tank storage systems that provide reliable performance and enhanced service life. We can provide and install underground tanks ranging in size from 3900 gallons to 60000 gallons or larger.

Safety and Compliance

Each of our propane systems is carefully designed and constructed to comply with the standards established by the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME). Our team works hard to ensure every construction is compliant, reliable, and built to last. Along with high-quality construction and engineering, we advise our clients on best practices for continuing to comply with ASME standards. This includes having tanks coated with reflective paint, ensuring all tanks have the manufacturer’s nameplate, and knowing when tanks require a regulator, level ground, or other equipment.

Why Partner With IPS for Your Propane Bulk Plant Needs?

When you need a custom-designed propane bulk plant that is built to suit your facility and organization, turn to IPS. We have over fifty years of experience providing specialized propane equipment services. Our company is a member of the National Propane Gas Association, and we build our products to meet or exceed the standards held by ASME. We provide comprehensive services ranging from parts distribution to training to turnkey design and construction. Contact us today to learn more about our propane plant capabilities or to start your project.

At Industrial Propane Service, Inc. (IPS), we’ve provided construction and service solutions to customers in the propane industry for over 50 years. From distributing and servicing equipment to designing and building facilities, we can meet a variety of industry needs. One of our core offerings is bulk plant design, construction, and servicing.

What Are Bulk Plants?

Bulk plants are facilities used to store bulk liquefied petroleum products before they are distributed to commercial, consumer, and retail markets. While most employ aboveground tanks to store materials, some utilize underground tanks to suit their operational and environmental needs.

Understanding Your Propane Tank

Propane tanks can feature a number of connections (e.g., valves, gauges, and other instruments), each of which performs a different function that helps ensure the safety of a tank’s people and processes. Some of the most common connection components include:

• Fill Valves: Fill valves provide a connection point between the storage tank and delivery vehicle during tank refilling operations (i.e., the tank is filled with liquid material from the truck).
• Vapor Return Valves: Vapor return valves provide a connection point during refilling operations that allows for the removal of excess pressure within the tank.
• Liquid Withdrawal Valves: Liquid withdrawal valves provide a connection point between the delivery vehicle and storage tank during truck refilling operations (i.e., the truck is filled with liquid material from the tank).
• Relief Valves: Relief valves serve as a safety mechanism for preventing overpressure. They allow tanks to vent propane if excess pressure builds up within them.
• Fixed Liquid Level Gauges: Fixed liquid level gauges indicate if and when the propane is at or about 80% capacity. They help prevent overfilling.
• Float Gauges: Float gauges—also sometimes called a dial gauge—indicate the volume of propane within the tank.

They are also available in a variety of sizes and configurations to suit different applications. For example, they can be small or large, horizontal or vertical, and above ground or underground. Regardless of how they are designed, they must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) for the construction of propane vessels in the United States. These guidelines are put in place to ensure the tanks operate efficiently and safely.

In addition to being aware of tank design and construction requirements, bulk plant owners and managers should know and understand the tank safety and compliance requirements regarding installation and use. For example:

• Tanks cannot be filled unless they have an appropriate manufacturer’s nameplate.
• Tanks must be painted with a reflective color.
• Tanks must have a regulator that is pointed vertically downward or, if it is pointed vertically upward, is covered and protected.
• Tanks must be installed on level ground.

How to Run Bulk Plants Safely

There are three key factors to keep in mind when owning or operating a propane bulk plant: safety, efficiency, and longevity. Ensuring your plant has these qualities necessitates focusing on the following:

• Design: Your tanks must meet all necessary functional and safety requirements without interfering with the performance of other equipment.
• Maintenance: Your tanks and other equipment must be regularly serviced to ensure they remain in proper working order.
• Training: Your employees must be fully and regularly trained in safety guidelines to ensure they know how to use and maintain tanks and other equipment properly.
• Inspection: Your facility must be regularly inspected to ensure any component repair or upgrade needs—especially those regarding connections—are identified and resolved quickly.

Regarding all of the above, it is important to keep in mind federal, state, and local regulations. Your plant site should comply with any relevant requirements and restrictions. Additionally, it should meet the minimum standards required by your insurance provider.

Why Partner With IPS for Your Propane Plant Needs?

If you’re looking for an experienced and knowledgeable partner to help ensure your propane plant operates efficiently and safely, IPS has got your back. Our expert team of fully trained and certified personnel offers design, construction, and other services tailored to the needs of customers in the propane industry. Our service offerings include:

• Designing, constructing, and installing storage tanks with up to 90,000-gallon capacities
• On-site training and safety inspections
• 24/7 emergency support services

Some of the other unique solutions we can provide include:

• Cylinder dispensing cabinets that are custom-built to your specifications
• Automatic additive injectors that are used to inject measured amounts of methanol
• Portable gas-powered transfer pumps that are used to transfer liquid from tanks to bobtail trucks
• Cylinder evacuation systems that meet your operational needs while remaining cost-effective and eco-friendly
• Complete component systems that feature all pump and piping components needed for satellite facilities and larger projects

To learn more about our propane plant capabilities or discuss your project with one of our experts, contact us today.