Gas cylinder
Encyclopedia : G : GA : GAS : Gas cylinder
- For mechanical devices used to impart a force from a pressurized liquid or gas, see pneumatic cylinder.
Applications
Applications for gas cylinders include:- pneumatic reservoirs in transport and industry
- storage of medical gases
- storage of breathing gases in diving cylinder
- storage of gaseous fuels for internal combustion engines, heating equipment and cooking such as LP gas, butane and propane
- They are familiar in the oxyacetylene equipment.
Regulations and Testing
The transportation of high pressure cylinders is regulated by many governments throughout the world. Various levels of testing are generally required by the governing authority for the country in which it is to be transported. In the United States this authourity is the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), for Canada this authority is Transport Canada (TC). Cylinders may have additional requirements placed on design and or performance from independent testing agencies such as Underwriter's Laboratory (UL). Each manufacturer of high pressure cylinders is required to have independent quality agent that will inspect the product for quality and safety.There are a variety of tests that may be performed on various cylinders. Some of the most common types of tests are hydrostatic test, burst test, tensile strength, Charpy impact test and pressure cycling.
Valve Connections
The valves on industrial, medical and diving cylinders are usually of different size and type, as are the valves for different products, making it more difficult to mistakenly misuse a gas.In the US, valve connections are sometimes referred to as 'CGA connections,' since the [Compressed Gas Association] (CGA) publishes guidelines on what connections to use for what products. E.g., an argon cylinder in the US will have a CGA 580 connection on the valve.
- Note: if the nut on a CGA connection has a notch in it, it uses a left-handed thread.
In the EU, DIN connections are more common than in the US.
Color Coding
Gas cylinders are often color coded, but the codes are not standard across different jurisdictions, and sometimes are not regulated. Do not trust the color of a cylinder to identify the product it contains. Check the cylinder's label/decal for product identification.Safety
Because the contents are under pressure and are sometimes hazardous, there are special safety regulations for handling bottled gases. These include chaining bottles to prevent falling and breaking, proper ventilation to prevent injury or death in case of leaks and signage to indicate the potential hazards. Installing and replacing gas cylinders should be done by trained personnel.The Compressed Gas Association sells a number of booklets and pamphlets on safe handling and use of bottled gases. (Members of the CGA can get the pamphlets for free.)
Some cylinder manufacturers provide free guides safety and handling . Luxfer Gas Cylinders, the world's largest producer of aluminum high-pressure cylinders offers free downloads from their website - www.luxfercylinders.com.
See also
External Links
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