The propane industry is committed to maintaining the highest quality fuel possible. This PERC program offers as-needed testing of fuel samples to help marketers ensure this consistent fuel quality.
A fuel sampling program run by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is accepting fuel samples from marketers for testing. This thorough expert analysis can help marketers rule out fuel quality as a factor in equipment performance issues. In the rare case that fuel variations play a role, SwRI will provide marketers with a detailed report and use the information gained to further strengthen the propane industry’s ability to ensure the highest level of fuel quality.
Download the Fuel Sampling Program One-Sheet
“Ensuring quality fuel is essential for the propane industry to not only retain current customers but to expand its reach into new markets.” — Southwest Research Institute

The fuel sampling kits include a 2.2-liter stainless steel cylinder (center) for collecting fuel, glass containers (top right) for collecting deposit samples, and a manifold (lower left).
Industry-Wide Program Benefits
- Saves marketers the time and expense of performing their own fuel analysis.
- Enables a quick industry response to marketer requests and concerns.
- Provides baseline fuel analysis data that can inform future efforts to ensure high propane fuel quality.
- Demonstrates the propane industry’s commitment to providing high-quality fuel to end users.
How To Submit Samples
- Call SwRI at 210-522-2817 or 210-522-3204 to request assistance.
- Complete and return a brief questionnaire to help document the problem.
- If the issue merits further investigation, SwRI will send you a sample collection kit and/or help arrange sample shipment.
- After analyzing the sample, SwRI will send you the results, so you can take appropriate action, if needed.
- At the completion of the program, SwRI will provide PERC with a summary of the contaminant and fuel quality problems found overall in the group of tested fuel samples.
For More Information:
Propane Education & Research Council
Gokul Vishwanathan, Director of Research and Sustainability
1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1075 / Washington, DC 20036 / 202-452-8975
Southwest Research Institute
John E. Gomez, Research Scientist
9503 W Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78227 / 210-522-5996