Gas Laws In Action

Because propane liquid’s density and volume vary considerably with temperature, delivery amounts are typically adjusted up or down using a correction factor that is based on the specific gravity of propane at 60°F. This process ensures consistency of measurement regardless of the temperature when a tank is filled.

The delivery volumes used in this investigation were calculated using this correction factor.

Think of it this way. Propane expands as it warms up. So 3,000 gallons of propane at 60°F would need more room at 80°F—it would need a 3,102-gallon tank, to be exact. But the same amount of propane at 20°F would only need a 2,825-gallon tank, so your 3,000-gallon tank could hold an additional 175 gallons.