Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gas Cylinders
Gas Cylinders
Gas
Cylinders
1
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Scope
Scope
This
This procedure
procedure covers
covers the
the
following
following activities:
activities:
•• Transportation
Transportation and
and Handling
Handling
•• Storage;
Storage;
•• Safety
Safety Checks;
Checks;
•• Use
Use
2
Compressed Gas Cylinders
This
This procedure
procedure does
does not
not covers:
covers:
•• Self-Contained
Self-Contained Breathing
Breathing
Apparatus
Apparatus and
and Fire
Fire Fighting
Fighting
extinguishers
extinguishers
•• Liquid
Liquid Petroleum
Petroleum GasGas (LPG)
(LPG)
cylinders
cylinders refilled
refilled or
or received
received
via
via WOQOD;
WOQOD;
•• Testing
Testing Gas
Gas Cylinders
Cylinders usedused
for
for calibration
calibration of
of different
different
“Gas
“Gas Monitor”
Monitor” used
used inin the
the
Project
Project
3
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Why These Guidelines
Are Vital To Your Safety
A compressed gas cylinder is like a sleeping giant.
It is heavy, smooth, and hard to grip securely.
It can be up to 57 inches tall, may weight up to
155 lbs full and be pressurized up to 2,200 psi. 54”
48”
The effects of unintentional release of energy by 42”
4
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Hazards of Compressed
Gas Cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders present both mechanical
and chemical hazards in the work place.
Explosion Poisoning
Tissue Damage
5
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Why These Guidelines
Are Vital To Your Safety
Injuries you can avoid
The injuries that can occur are as varied as the situations
causing them. Some of these injuries include:
Severe cuts, bruises, and burns
Broken bones and loss of limbs
Spinal cord injuries
Asphyxiation
Poisoning
Death
6
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Components of a
Compressed Gas Cylinder
1. Cylinder Cap
2. Valve Handwheel
3. Valve Outlet Connection
4. Valve Pack Nut
5. Pressure relief valve
6. Valve Outlet Cap
7. Cylinder Collar
8. DOT/Cylinder type & PSI rating
9. Cylinder serial number
10. Initial hydrostatic test date
11. First 5 year hydrostatic retest
12. “” qualifies for 10 year retest
13. Original inspectors insignia
11
53594
6-91
6-96
6-96 12
13
7
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
8
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Some gases have very specific procedures for
safe use. Before handling any compressed gas
cylinder, locate the Material Safety Data Sheet,
or MSDS, for the gas you are using. This
document contains vital information for
handling each gas.
9
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Identify the Compressed Gas
Do not rely on cylinder color
11
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Chains are the best recommendation. Straps
and table clamps often fail due to improper
use and set-up. Clamps are generally not
kept tight and placed on articles that are not
secure (movable desks tables, etc.). Straps
are often buckled incorrectly thus providing
no restraint. Fasten restraints on the upper
half of the cylinder, above the center of
gravity (e.g., just below the top), and at the
bottom ~8-12 inches from the ground.
12
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Cylinder Valves
13
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
There are a number of different types of cylinder valves
affixed to cylinders. Standard cylinder-valve outlet
connections developed by the Compressed Gas
Association (CGA) are configured differently for each
family of gases to minimize the potential of mixing
incompatible gases. CGA connections typically utilize a
three-digit coded number. This code generally includes:
14
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Common Laboratory Gasses and their CGA
Standard Outlet Connections
CGA Valve Outlet
GAS
& Connection
Acetylene (C2H2) 510
Argon (Ar) 580
Carbon Monoxide (CO2) 320
Chlorine (Cl2) 660
Helium (He) 580
Hydrogen (H2) 350
Nitrogen (N2) 580
Oxygen (O2) 540
15
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Pressure Regulators
Cylinder Connection
17
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Regulator Operation
Attach the regulator to the cylinder valve outlet.
Turn the delivery pressure adjustment knob
counterclockwise until it turns freely.
Ensure the flow control valve is in the closed position.
Slowly open the cylinder valve until the regulator
registers the cylinder pressure.
Turn the delivery pressure adjustment knob clockwise
until the desired delivery pressure is reached.
!
Be certain that the tubing used to convey the gas from
the regulator to its end use is compatible with the gas.
Example: Copper tubing + acetylene =copper acetylide (explosive) 18
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Gas Cylinder Operation
19
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Opening cylinders:
Place the cylinder in an upright position so the
valve is always within reach.
Check fume hood or ventilation.
Warn co-workers that you are about to open the
valve and position the cylinder with the valve
pointing away from you.
Be sure fittings are clean, dry, and free of oil
or grease.
Be sure the threads on the regulator correspond
with those on the cylinder valve outlet.
Use regulators and pressure gauges only with
gases for which they are designed.
Open the valve slowly and close the valve
immediately when finished.
20
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Closing cylinders:
21
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safe Practices for
Handling & Use
Liquefied Gas Cylinder Operation
A liquefied compressed gas can be defined as a
gas, which when compressed in a container,
becomes a liquid at ordinary temperatures and at
Gas
pressures ranging from 25 to 2500 psig. Liquefied
gases have boiling points that range from –130 to
30°F (–90 to –1°C). At 70°F (21.1ºC) the cylinder
contains both liquid and gas. Cylinder pressure, or
the “vapor pressure” of the gas, is directly affected
Liquid
by ambient temperatures.
22
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Inspecting & Testing
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Regularly inspect cylinders.
Take a few extra minutes to inspect the
compressed gas cylinder. It could save you
and your co-workers serious injury.
Ask these questions:
Does the cylinder have signs of defects?
23
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Inspecting & Testing
Compressed Gas Cylinders
25
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safely Store Compressed
Gas Cylinders
Store cylinders in the right environment.
Storage space and floor should be:
well ventilated
26
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safely Store Compressed
Gas Cylinders
Segregate cylinders by hazardous gases.
Incompatible gases must be stored by hazard
class in separate areas, even when the cylinder
is empty. Separate the incompatible cylinders
by:
27
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safely Transport
Compressed Gas Cylinders
28
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safely Transport
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Whether you move cylinders short or long
distances, follow these guidelines:
Remove the regulator. Never move a cylinder
with the regulator still in place.
30
Compressed Gas Cylinders