Air Compressor WARNING!

[aczlan]

Interesting video on water testing an air tank. Two things I learned was water dont compress like air and he tested an air tank not a receiver tank, must be a British term, either way I outlawed that terminology in my house and am throwing away all books that uses it....

Better avoid Ingersoll Rand compressors in the future as they use that terminology: Air Compressor Receiver Tanks | Ingersoll Rand

Aaron Z

 

[5030]

Better avoid Ingersoll Rand compressors in the future as they use that terminology: Air Compressor Receiver Tanks | Ingersoll Rand

Aaron Z

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Better stick to the throw away Chinese stuff from Harbor Freight..... No worry about the receiver, the pump will puke long before the 'tank' will anyway.

 

[Oldpath05]

You can actually read... I'm amazed.

:laughing: Yes of course I can read it's the understanding part I have trouble with, thats why I like youtube videos.........

 

[Oldpath05]

We are doing that for 100+ hp screw compressors, with a small reciprocating compressor like that you probably don't need to worry about that as you might have a quart of oil in the compressor vs 20+ gallons in a screw compressor.

Aaron Z

I havent drained my 60 gal compressor since last July, I bet theres 2 quarts of water at the most, but it's only used couple times a week. Whats your guess, winner gets new tractor....

I have seen water come out of air manifolds at BIW, not sure what size they are but I'm sure it's bigger then mine, maybe I can ask someone next week on that.
On the Move at BIW - YouTube

 

[ruffdog]

The local golf car shop was run by a old guy for years and had a compressor under a heavy wood work bench. It had a bigger (maybe 30 gal) tank but would kick on soon after you use air so I thought I would drain it. I bet I got a good 20 gallons of water out of that thing.

 

[sandman2234]

A few years ago I looked at a new portable air tank and thought "they don't make them like they use to". It was about 50% lighter than my old one. Are cheap compressor tanks thin walled too?

Also, I saw a video of a guy testing a compressor tank with a pressure washer. He filled the tank with water, installed a pressure gauge, and used the wand to bring it up to 150% of capacity.

I am sorry, but in reality this video only shows the cylinder being subjected to over-pressure, not hydro testing! I am no expert, but my understanding of a "hydro test" is to subject the pressure vessel to pressure to which the tank is certified (which he did in a way!) However, the part that he left off and didn't do is the part that tells you if the tank is good or not!! Basically, a tank is submerged in a liquid, filled to the rated capacity and the liquid surrounding the tank is what is measured. If you over pressure a tank to it's rated capacity, it is allowed to "swell", as metal is going to stretch (think of a balloon!) Once the pressure is released back to atmospheric pressure, the tank should return back to it's normal state. There is a certain allowance for just how far it will stretch and not return back which is measured by the displaced liquid OUTSIDE the tank!!
So if you blow up a balloon under water, say in a bathtub, you mark the water line before you start, and again when you reach full pressure, and then let the air back out of it. The amount that the water did not return to it's original level is the amount that concerns you (the amount is figured out by some formula). Everyone who has ever blown up a balloon can see that there is a difference in the appearance of a balloon before and after it is been blown up the first time. You can't see it with a steel pressure vessel, but that is basically what you are measuring. The elasticity of the metal and it's ability to stretch and then return to it's original shape (size) is the factor that keeps tanks from blowing up on you.
My hat is off to the poster for presenting a nice video, however it is VERY MISLEADING, because in reality what he did to his own tank did more harm than good.
I am also surprised at American Rotary for putting their stamp of approval on it!
David from jax

 

[sd455dan]

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.

There was a fairly involved thread over on Welding Web where a Youngster was intent on repairing an old pin hole rusted compressor tank.
He did weld on it and eventually water pressure test it- but still a Really REALLY bad idea.

Who wants a time Bomb in their shop.

If a tank is to be welded on it should be inspected, and then only welded by an ASME Certified welder and then hydro tested.

 

[ultrarunner]

Maybe Stainless Steel "Receiver" Tank is the solution?

Just replaced accessory boiler vessel that was severely corroded on the inside... deep pitting etc.

There was a $800 option for Stainless on the replacement which I checked.

The original was 25 years in service... may have gone more???

With the new tank it should well outlast me... so another future problem avoided.

Although not all is simple...

This was a special tank as to where the fittings were placed... engineering and sign of and 9 week lead time.

Tank arrives and fittings in wrong place!

Fulton sends out a welder to install additional stainless fittings where they should have been...

Since it was a manufacturer field mod it doesn't affect warranty... the alternative was waiting who knows how long due to Covid delays...

 

[two_bit_score]

WOW! Good reminder!

 

[sd455dan]

Who knows of a catastophic compressor tank failure? I know of none personally. With millions of consumer grade compressors out there, and probably many neglected, what does that tell you?

Air compressor explosion safety video footage of actual explosion - YouTube

Good thing the young man was a fast thinker and knew how to apply a tourniquet

Edit, or three tourniquets :from his description.