What the BVV 120lb Propane Tank Actually Holds
Worth clearing up first, because the searches say people confuse the two. The 120 lb in the name is a pound class, not a gallon count, so this is nowhere near a 120 gallon vessel. What it holds is R290-grade propane guaranteed to 99.5%. The lot analysis shows methane under 1 ppm, ethane under 3 ppm, propylene under 5 ppm and isopentane under 1 ppm. Water comes in under 3 ppm and sulfur under 1 ppm. Isobutane runs 2,380 ppm and n-butane 251 ppm, both reported rather than hidden.
Liquid Withdrawal on a Dip Tube Propane Tank
A standard LP cylinder gives you vapour off the top. A dip tube reaches to the bottom and gives you liquid, which is what any process metering by mass rather than pressure actually needs. That single difference is why this is not interchangeable with a barbecue tank, whatever the pound rating suggests. The vessel is DOT refillable LP, shipping under UN1075 as petroleum gases, liquefied, at hazard class 2.1. There is no ethyl mercaptan in it, so the leak smell you get from consumer propane is absent and monitoring has to cover that gap. R290 is the refrigerant designation for the same C3H8, which is why HVAC and extraction buyers land on the same page.
Key Features
- R290 propane guaranteed 99.5%: Refrigerant-grade designation with a published lot analysis rather than a bare purity claim.
- Sulfur under 1 ppm: Reported on the certificate, alongside water under 3 ppm and methane under 1 ppm.
- Dip tube for liquid withdrawal: Draws liquid from the bottom rather than vapour off the top, unlike a consumer LP cylinder.
- No ethyl mercaptan odorant: Clean, colorless and odorless, which removes the warning smell consumer propane relies on.
- UN1075, hazard class 2.1: Ships as petroleum gases, liquefied, in a DOT refillable LP tank sourced in the USA.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Solvent | Propane (C3H8) |
| Refrigerant Designation | R290 |
| Guaranteed Purity | 99.5% |
| Lot Analysis - Propane | 99.5%+ |
| Isobutane | 2380 ppm |
| N-Butane | 251 ppm |
| Propylene | <5 ppm |
| Ethane | <3 ppm |
| Methane | <1 ppm |
| Isopentane | <1 ppm |
| Water | <3 ppm |
| Sulfur | <1 ppm |
| Odorant | None - no ethyl mercaptan |
| Tank | DOT refillable LP, dip tube for liquid withdrawal |
| UN Number | UN1075, hazard class 2.1 |
| Proper Shipping Name | Petroleum gases, liquefied |
| Origin | USA sourced |
Handling, Shipping and Regulatory Notes
- Use only in a well-ventilated area, and only for purposes permitted under your local laws and ordinances.
- BVV advises distillation of every solvent before use.
- Ships UPS Ground only under FAA rules. Combined with other items, the entire shipment moves Ground or freight.
- Not shipped to Hawaii, Puerto Rico or any US territory outside the contiguous 48. Alaska is freight only, routed through Canada.
- California restricts retail supply of butane above 150 mL. Permitted channels include licensed volatile-solvent extraction operators under CA Bus & Prof Code Division 10. Medical collectives under CA Health & Safety Code 11362.775 and resellers are also permitted.