Dangers of Acetylene and Oxygen Bottles

[ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by patrick_g

Oh,and remember real men don't put the safety covers over the top of the oxygen or CO2 or... bottles since not every time they transport a bottle do they break the valve off.

Patrick

I always use caps when provided... what would you do when the only way a cylinder is made is without caps or covers of any kind?

There must be more to the story since these cylinders are used in trade and ICC rated...

[RPW]

Sandman, there's two reasons for MAPP over acytlene. MAPP has a very narrow window at which it's unstable and can explode while Acytlene has a VERY large window. An acytlene tank can explode if it's dropped. It can explode without the need for oxygen. It can explode if the working pressure is above 15psi. There's lots of reasons that DIYer's should use MAPP instead. I forget the exact level in ppm but you can detect MAPP at a much lower level than acytlene.

-ultrarunner- I believe it's the size of bottle as my protable O/A setup doesn't have any caps either.

Because I don't have an outside storage for my bottles I'm seriously thinking about switching to MAPP after this bottle is empty. Unfortunately I didn't know the particulars until I started taking a welding course so I was clueless in several areas.

[ultrarunner]

Not to belabor the point... I have two vehicles with acetylene cylinders mounted on the running board and another with a carbide generator...

[Bird]

There's lots of reasons that DIYer's should use MAPP instead.

I'll tell on myself a bit, but when I bought my MAPP gas/oxygen rig, I didn't have anyone to teach me to weld; I just bought a book and studied that. Then when I tried to weld with that rig, it didn't work. Naturally, I figured that either I'd bought the wrong thing, or it was defective. So I took it back and told the salesman what happened. We took that rig out into their shop and he showed me how to weld with it. I don't know what his background and experience were, but I've still never seen anyone lay down a nicer bead or do a better welding job with any kind of welder.

[Scooby074]

Originally Posted by Travelover

YouTube - MythBusters: Air Cylinder Rocket

Thats the one

Originally Posted by ultrarunner

I always use caps when provided... what would you do when the only way a cylinder is made is without caps or covers of any kind?

There must be more to the story since these cylinders are used in trade and ICC rated...

Theyre likely Tulip tops? My Oxy, ace and Mig gas are tulips. No covers for the valve, but they have a handle similar to a propane tank to protect the valve.

Another neat product thats gaining some acceptance, especially among contractors and industry where bottles are frequently moved are called Altop. They are sold by Air Liquide. They have a heavy plactic cover over the valve area. They also have a built in regulator thats protected by this plastic cover therefore You can safely move these tanks with the regulators attached. Much safer considering most , especially in industrial plants dont remove the regulators to move tanks.

Air Liquide > ALTOP?

[ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Scooby074

Thats the one



Theyre likely Tulip tops? My Oxy, ace and Mig gas are tulips. No covers for the valve, but they have a handle similar to a propane tank to protect the valve.

Another neat product thats gaining some acceptance, especially among contractors and industry where bottles are frequently moved are called Altop. They are sold by Air Liquide. They have a heavy plactic cover over the valve area. They also have a built in regulator thats protected by this plastic cover therefore You can safely move these tanks with the regulators attached. Much safer considering most , especially in industrial plants dont remove the regulators to move tanks.

Air Liquide > ALTOP?

Learn something all the time here...

I will have to see if they offer medical rated regulators...

[patrick_g]

I have the more or less standard sized bottles that fit the holders built into my welding trailer. Glad to hear out laying an acetylene bottle down or inverting it. Now I am sure to not modify the bottle holders as regards the angle of the dangle of the bottles. Thanks to Renze I have more things to worry about...spontaneous cataclysmic exothermic self destruction of acetylene tanks.

I also have small bottles like you see refrigeration techs using. Mine are in a plastic holding/carrying assembly which I have attached to an old back packing frame so I can put it on and take on the identity of TORCH MAN.

This small set did not come with a safety cover for the O2 bottle and I never saw one with a cover at the welding supply house. I treat the set with respect and it is light enough to probably preclude self destruction if dropped from a moderate height.

Pat

[Transit]

Originally Posted by ultrarunner

More than half the cylinders I receive each week are the type that have no provision for safety caps... Oxygen, Nitrous Oxide, Nitrogen.

Cylinders without any way to put a safety cap on? That has to be in violation of a bazillion federal and state laws.
I see others found the u-tube rocket cylinder video I was referring to. I believe they used compressed air, now imagine the fun one could have with some gas with more pep at higher pressure.

[ultrarunner]

Here's a few pictures of cylinders without safety caps...

All Medical Gas delivered to the Hospital in now on a enclosed Box Van with lift gate with placards... for years it was on an open stake side flatbed... too much trouble with theft I was told.

http://www.browardmedicalsupply.com/...nk%20Setup.JPG

http://triusenergy.com/images/glossa...us%20oxide.jpg

http://phc-online.com/v/vspfiles/pho...F-DC06E-2T.jpg

http://411plumb.com/wp-content/uploa...yleneTanks.jpg

[Scooby074]

Originally Posted by ultrarunner

Here's a few pictures of cylinders without safety caps...

All Medical Gas delivered to the Hospital in now on a enclosed Box Van with lift gate with placards... for years it was on an open stake side flatbed... too much trouble with theft I was told.

http://www.browardmedicalsupply.com/...nk%20Setup.JPG

http://triusenergy.com/images/glossa...us%20oxide.jpg

http://phc-online.com/v/vspfiles/pho...F-DC06E-2T.jpg

http://411plumb.com/wp-content/uploa...yleneTanks.jpg

Interesting, except the second one is a pic of a car subwoofer

I think the smaller O2 bottles are delivered minus a cover due to their small size (volume) and generally their not used in a environment where they'd be likely to get the valve knocked off. Im sure the cart will provide alot of protection.

Locally industrial gas is delivered in a closed in van, however there is many vents around the perimeter to provide ventilation. The back of the van is also open.

I dont believe the altops are available in medial gasses. Theyre aimed at the industrial / construction market. I think theyre available in Oxy,ace and argon only.

As a FYI the small Altops are available for purchase here. Price is $250 each which is a deal considering they come with a regulator. Thats almost the same as what air liquide charges for regular bottles without the Altop benefits.