Gas Tank – Propane Tank – LPG Tank: Bulk Gas Tank Sizes
Our standard LPG gas tank sizes are 45kg, 90kg or 210kg LPG tanks.
An LPG tank (propane tank) is made from welded steel and is designed for the the required pressures and heat expansion of the stored hydrocarbon gases, including propane and butane.
An LPG gas tanks is frequently seen at petrol stations for LPG Autogas storage.
LPG tanks and storage vessels include everything from a small BBQ gas bottle to LPG gas bottle, LPG tank (propane tank), LPG bullet gas tank and up to a giant Horton Sphere.
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LPG Tank Sizes – Gas Tank Weight: LPG Gas Tank Capacity (tonnes) |
LPG Gas Tank Sizes: Diameter (mm) |
LPG Gas Tank Sizes: Length (mm) |
LPG Gas Tank Sizes: Capacity (L) |
| 0.5 tonne LPG Tank | 915mm | 2250mm | 980 litres |
| 1 tonne LPG Tank | 1065mm | 2690mm | 1960 litres |
| 2 tonne LPG Tank | 1220mm | 3920mm | 3920 litres |
| 2.5 tonne LPG Tank | 1220mm | 5940mm | 4900 litres |
| 3 tonne LPG Tank | 1220mm | 7960mm | 5880 litres |
LPG gas tank sizes (propane tank sizes) shown are indicative. Actual LPG tank sizes can vary.
Extremely large LPG gas tank sizes (propane tank sizes) are also available.
Difference Between an Industrial LPG Cylinder and a Domestic LPG Gas Bottle
There is no difference in the gas provided to industrial and domestic users.
The rate of use means that more liquid LPG needs to be vaporized and that typically means a larger vessel (LPG tank).
Residential LPG gas bottles and industrial LPG cylinders are identical with the exception of the applications.
LPG Tanks Sizes – Propane Tank Sizes – LPG Gas Tank Sizes
The most common LPG tank sizes are 45kg gas bottles, followed by 90 kg gas bottle and 210kg LPG gas tank sizes.
Half tonne and one tonne LPG gas tank sizes would be common for large country properties and farms, as well as smaller commercial enterprises.
Our standard LPG tank sizes range from 0.5 tonnes all the way up to 50 tonnes and larger LPG gas tank sizes.
LPG tanks come in various LPG tank sizes (propane tank sizes) for use in LPG bulk storage.
LPG cylinders are used for lesser storage.
A good conversion rate to remember for LPG tank capacity is that 1 kilogram is approximately equal to 1.96 litre of LPG.
LPG gas tanks comes in a range of sizes.
LPG gas storage vessels start from small to mammoth including:
● Forklift Gas Bottles – Cylinders
● Large Gas Bottles – Cylinders
● Large Gas Tanks – Bullets
● Storage in Intermodal ISO LPG Tank Containers
● Mounded LPG Tanks – Bullets
● LPG Tank Spheres – Horton Spheres
● Underground Propane Storage Caverns
Forklift Propane Gas Tank – Bottle
The gas for forklifts is stored in two different size forklift gas bottles.
These LPG tanks are also made from both steel and aluminium.
There are 15kg aluminium and 18kg steel forklift gas bottles.
Large Gas Bottles – Cylinders
LPG 45kg gas bottles – also called 45kg gas cylinders – are the most popular gas bottles sizes for homes and small businesses.
45kg LPG gas bottles can be exchanged or refilled onsite via propane tank trucks.
A typical installation is comprised of two 45kg gas bottles.
This is so you can switch bottles while awaiting an exchange or refill of the empty.
There are also 90kg, 190kg and 210kg size cylinders, for heavier use.
These larger cylinders are always filled via propane tank trucks, as they are too larger to be exchanged in a practical manner.
Large Propane Tank – Propane Tank Bullets
There are LPG gas bulk storage tank sizes for various application solutions.
These are sometimes called an “LPG Bullet”, “Propane Tank” or just “Bullet”.
The propane tank is for commercial, industrial and agricultural applications.
Whilst vertical installation is possible, the vast majority of propane tank installations are horizontal.
Propane tank sizes range from ½ tonne to 40 tonnes and larger.
Intermodal ISO Propane Tank Containers
ISO propane tank containers are propane gas storage vessels mounted within a standardised framework.
The standardised framework is built to ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) standards, just like a standard (closed steel box) shipping container.
Typical ISO propane tank sizing is 6.05m (20ft) long, 2.4m wide and 2.55m high, although other sizes also exist, including 12.2m (40ft) versions.
Capacity of the 6m ISO propane tank is 24,000-25,000 litres or around 12 tonnes of propane.
A propane tank container is built to the ISO standards to be “intermodal”, making it suitable for different modes of transportation and stackable.
These containers can be used for transport by ship, rail or truck, being transferred between them without unloading/reloading the Propane cargo.
Mounded Propane Tank – Bullet
Placing a large propane tank or bullet under mounded earth provides enhanced fire safety.
The mounding provides protection from any nearby fires, vandalism and sabotage.
The bullets are buried horizontally. Some of the largest can be up to 7m in diameter and 70m or more in length.
A mounded propane tank allows storage of huge quantities of propane in a single location.
Propane Gas Storage Spheres – Horton Spheres
A storage sphere is a very efficient and cost effective way to store propane.
Spheres require less steel than a cylinder to hold the same quantity of propane.
Spheres are also a good shape for pressure vessels, as they distribute the stress evenly.
Horton spheres also need less land to store the same quantity of propane, versus bullets.
In addition, they help minimise the cost of piping and foundations, as they hold more in a single pressure vessel.
The Hortonsphere® is named after Horace Ebenezer Horton, builder of the first spherical pressure vessels, back in 1923.
Underground Propane Gas Storage Caverns
Why would we have propane gas storage underground?
Underground storage is a cost efficient way to store very large quantities of Propane.
Unlike above ground tanks, there is no need for refrigeration and there is no finite life span for the project.
The above ground plant and equipment is uncomplicated, requiring minimal maintenance.
The gas is typically held within the cavern by hydrostatic water pressure in the surrounding stone.
These facilities can incorporate a dedicated docking system to load and unload Propane ocean tankers.
These can be as large as VLGC class ships of up to 45,000 tonnes.
The docking system also loads smaller tankers for re-distribution to other facilities.
The picture below was taken during the construction phase of the Elgas Cavern, in Sydney.
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Eric Hahn has over a decade of experience in the LPG industry and has become a key figure in shaping how LPG is marketed and communicated. As the creator of one of the world’s first LPG blogs, Eric has authored over 200 technical posts, helping educate and inform the industry and consumers.
Eric has served on multiple committees for Gas Energy Australia and the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to important discussions and advancements within the global LPG sector. He has presented at WLPGA Annual Conferences, sharing his expertise as a speaker, panellist, and panel chair.
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Steve Reynolds
Technical Consultant
Steve Reynolds is a leading expert in the LPG industry with over 22 years of experience. As part of the national management team at ELGAS, Steve ensures the safe and efficient storage, handling, and transportation of LPG. He serves as the lead investigator for incidents and collaborates with authorities on industry developments.
Steve is a technical advisor to Standards Australia and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), and an active member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to global standards and technical reviews. He holds a BSc. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has held senior safety and technical roles at ELGAS, making him a trusted authority in LPG safety and standards.