DOHA: Qatar Fuels Company's (Woqod) fixed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks will soon cater to the domestic needs. Woqod had introduced bulk LPG tank concept for commercial uses earlier, replacing the 48kg (100 litre) cylinders.
"By now more than 400 customers have started using the new system. A team of five qualified contractors will visit the site to survey individual properties and design and install the tanks," said Shahzad Arshad, QAQC Supervisor, Woqod. "Some of the residences including villas, labour and staff accommodations and big projects like the Pearl Qatar and Barwa."
"In few months lime we will be ceasing the distribution of 48 kg cylinder. Installation is going on in various places and many are now enquiring about the system," he told The Peninsula.
The bulk tanks once installed are served by Woqod's road tankers. The tanks have meter gauges which show the amount of fuel in the tank. When the LPG falls below certain limit, consumers can contact the authorities to get it refilled.
To ensure the safety, the cylinder has separate inlet and outlet valves, a safety valve and a liquid withdrawal valve.
Utmost care is taken in the installation of the tanks, as detail inspections is done on the site and are installed outside the premises. The installation options will include gas leak detection systems and different piping options
For large residential properties such as apartment buildings specific LPG tank and piping systems are designed. This will replace the 12 kg cylinder which is currently being used over time with one tank for the whole building piped through to kitchens.
"The tanks are made to suit customer needs and according to consumption rates. In many of the major hotels in Qatar, tanks with a capacity of up to 30,000 liters have been installed. In Pearl Qatar, 60,000 liter tank is in use," Arshad said
Woqod is working on the final phase of its new LPG bottling and bulk loading plant, which is located in the New Industrial Area of Doha.
The planned phase-out of the 48kg cylinder will occur as the new filling plant becomes fully operational and the existing filling plant run by Qatar Petroleum in Mesaieed is decommissioned.
By Huda NV
© The Peninsula 2009
