Kunming Metallurgical Research Institute promotes aluminum alloy liquefied petroleum gas cylinder production technology research and development project

A few days ago, the Kunming Metallurgical Research Institute organized a report meeting on the progress of the "Aluminum Alloy Liquefied Petroleum Gas Bottle Production Technology R & D" project. Deputy General Manager Shen Lijun of the Group Corporation, Liu Gang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Technical Center Research Institute, Yan Fushun, Dean, members of the Aluminum Alloy Industrialization Group of the Material Research Institute, and relevant leaders and technical personnel of Kunming Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. and Yunnan PetroChina Kunlun Gas Co., Ltd. attended the meeting. Accompanied by the project team, they visited and cooperated with the aluminum alloy liquefied petroleum gas cylinders that have been prepared and fully communicated on the follow-up work.

At the meeting, the Material Research Institute reported on the progress of aluminum alloy liquefied gas cylinder production technology research and development projects. The report mentioned that the current market demand for LPG cylinders in China is relatively large. Steel LPG cylinders will gradually withdraw from the market and seek for lighter, more environmentally friendly, more durable, and more secure aluminum alloy materials to replace steel liquefaction. Gas cylinders have become an inevitable trend. Compared with cylinders, the aluminum alloy liquefied gas cylinder independently researched and developed by the institute has a weight reduction of approximately 42% and a service life of 50 years. During the smelting process, the green pollution is small and the recovery rate is high. The research and development team focused on the performance and processing technology of 5 series and 6 series aluminum alloys and aluminum-silicon alloys. Finally, 6061-T6 aluminum alloy was used as the parent material for the bottle body, and TIG welding, MIG welding, brazing, and friction welding were also adopted. Diffusion welding and other welding processes have been studied experimentally, and hydrostatic pressure test, water pressure blasting test, and airtightness test have been performed on the prepared aluminum alloy liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. During the hydrostatic pressure test and air tightness test, the bottle body did not appear. Visually detectable deformations and leaks indicate that the material selection and welding process of the bottle body has reached the water pressure and air tightness testing requirements of the bottle design standards.

The relevant leaders of Kunming Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. and Yunnan PetroChina Kunlun Gas Co., Ltd. proposed the next working direction and suggestions. The first is to develop a series of relevant standards as soon as possible with reference to the European standards for cylinders. The second is to consider the corrosion problem between aluminum and steel when using aluminum steel composite valve seats, and conduct experimental research in a targeted manner. The third is that the gas cylinders produced by the experiment should focus on cost savings and price optimization. The fourth is to test the performance of aluminum alloy liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, communicate with professional pressure vessel testing agencies, and determine a reasonable detection plan. The fifth is to fully adapt the fittings to the R&D work. All units stated that they will further strengthen cooperation in the later trials, improve the production process, improve the performance of cylinders and improve the quality of cylinders, and jointly develop high quality aluminum alloy liquefied petroleum gas cylinders.