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FLT Gas

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FLT Gas stands for Fork Lift Truck Gas. It is not a unique chemical element, but rather a specialized form of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) specifically Propane packaged for use in internal combustion engine forklifts. Unlike the standard Propane used for heating or Town Gas from history, FLT gas cylinders are designed for liquid withdrawal.Liquid vs. Vapor: While a backyard BBQ grill pulls gas vapor from the top of a tank, a forklift pulls liquid propane from the bottom through a dip tube. This liquid is then vaporized by the engine's heat to provide a consistent flow of high-energy fuel.Composition: In the UK, it is almost exclusively high-purity Propane.
History: Because FLT gas is a specific application of LPG, its "invention" is tied to two major milestones: the discovery of propane and the invention of the propane-powered forklift. The Fuel Propane was identified and isolated as a volatile component in gasoline by Dr. Walter O. Snelling in 1910. He realized these gases could be turned into liquids under modest pressure, creating the LPG industry. While the first forklifts like the Clark Tructractor appeared in 1917, they originally ran on petrol. LPG-powered forklifts became commercially prominent in the early 1950s. Companies like Clark and Hyster began mass-producing LPG models to allow forklifts to operate safely indoors, as propane produces significantly less Carbon Monoxide than petrol or diesel.