LP Gas, January 2012
Refill to refuel New green product from Manchester Tank designed to put dent in disposable cylinder business BY BRIAN RICHESSON Senior Editor F rank Lane learned from his experience on propanes front lines that an equipment void existed in the industry Working for the family propane company that his grandfather started in 1947 in south Alabama Lane emptied disposable propane cylinders regularly while burning torches to solder water and refrigeration lines The former Lane Butane Co employee was frustrated by the wasteful and illogical concept of replacing the cylinder each time and sought to change the way users of small propane bottles maintained their fueling source I was wanting to do something to have a refillable cylinder with a 12 year life instead of a disposable cylinder that gets one use and then recycled or thrown away Lane says Lane envisioned a product to replace the millions of 1 pound disposable propane cylinders that are used each year in the United States the many that are discarded improperly and end up in landfills as well as those that are refilled illegally About five years in the making from the first sketches and valve design to its UL listing and manufacturing Lanes vision became a reality and Manchester Tanks 1 pound refillable propane cylinder debuted at last years NPGA Southeastern Convention International Propane Expo in Atlanta There was a lot of interest from folks who were really excited about it and thought it was neat but they were wondering what they were going to do with it says Lane director of research and development and quality control for Franklin Tenn based Manchester Tank Versatile fueling source The 1 pound refillable cylinder is designed to fit most appliances on the market including all applications for which the disposable cylinders are used Covering recreational industrial commercial and TECHNOLOGY Continued on page 18 www LPGasmagazine com January 2012 LPGas 17
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