Air Compressor WARNING!

[jjp8182]

Thing that kept going through my mind was: where did this happen? His speech/accent makes me think it was in the Northeast which makes me wonder if there was some salt in the air (from ocean or other salty body of water) that accelerated the corrosion....

That corrosive salt atmosphere that rusts things so fast in coastal areas diminishes the further inland a person goes, but it goes inland a lot farther than most people realize.... It's something I didn't learn until well into my current career and salt air corrosion at a location 70 miles inland was being discussed as being an issue.....

 

[Industrial Toys]

I thought about the salt too.

I am also thinking fatigue. Maybe it wasn't rolled accurately. So every pressurization cycle put stresses on it. Like an aircraft when finally the roof of the cabin blows off. I think rust would have caused a minor leak, like a water heater. That's (maybe) what I think.

 

[PILOON]

I find it ironic that SCUBA tanks get annual inspections.
Small BBQ tanks have a 5 yr life and only take low pressure (like 10 lbs or so)

BUT shop compressors are exempt, which as we know can 'run away' to serious over pressuring and life threatening results.
Is OSHA sleeping here?
Perhaps regulating (monitoring) is simply too massive an undertaking and powers to be decided to let it be a 'self monitored' situation.

But then today they ask U to write up a 'quality assurance manuals' and then self police from there on in.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Considering safety warnings. I'm surprised that such tanks don't have warnings that suggest that they are never used indoors, but don't leave exposed to moisture either, not near any pets or humans and best not even to apply anything beyond normal atmospheric pressure. Because you guessed it, could result in Injury or DEATH!

 

[ultrarunner]

The floor and trim guys have small compressor inside with quiet being a selling point... roofers use outdoor models.

ASTM option for tanks cost a little more but offer peace of mind...

 

[5030]

Very timely, I just rewired and old compressor that could hold over 200 psi... once I got it cranked up, it popped a hole in the bottom (very low pressure). This tank sat in my basement for a long time (to be fixed). Finally got around to it and the hole happened... first thought was... it's cast iron, weld or braze?

Looking for a donor tank at the moment...

Proper term is a receiver.

 

[5030]

I hate to encourage YouTube viewing, but maybe people should see this.

I always wondered what would happen if such a tank exploded.

*AIR COMPRESSOR WARNING* - YouTube

Idiot probably never drained the condensate in the receiver and it failed. Receivers need to be drained daily when in use and if not, when shut off before the pressure drops to zero. Dorks are born every day... prime example in the video.

 

[not2old]

:laughing:Yeah, for several years now, I just shear it all off as close as the clippers will cut it, but don't shave my head as some do.:laughing: My wife usually sees me start with the clippers and she finishes the job. She's afraid I'll miss some.:laughing:

Exactly what we do here.

 

[shaeff]

I only skimmed the comments here, but did anyone notice that it looked like the drain was booger welded in? Not saying that's 100% what caused the failure, but the damage that heating the metal can cause, it could easily contribute.

DON'T WELD ON PRESSURE VESSELS.

 

[Industrial Toys]

To play Devils Advocate (maybe what I do best). Draining it could make it rust faster. Then the steel is just always nice and moist, not submerged, where it can't rust.

That has to be a consideration in making such a pressure vessle. NO WAY would you build one, with the criteria, that you don't drain the water, it will rust and fail, possibly killing someone. I don't buy it. The design criteria would HAVE to be based on a worst case user.