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Posted By terry bull
I have recently started using a CO2 system for my 5' aquarium at home. The system uses a small 500gm cylinder, a regulator and needle valve to provide bubbles fed into the aquarium which helps plant growth. I would like to use a larger cylinder of around 7.5 kgs as the life of the 500gm is very short.
The question I need answered is this. The small cylinder when full has a pressure of 60 bar, the larger cylinder available to me are around 170 bar. The regulator bottle pressure gauge goes up to 250bar and obviously the pressure into the aquarium is controlled by the working pressure gauge and the needle valve. Is it OK to use my regulator system with the larger , higher pressure cylinder?
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Posted By Pete Stewart
Possibly not, but without more info on the regulator, difficult to be sure. Your best bet would be to visit either a gun shop or diving centre.
It is likely that the dive centre will have more knowledge of regulator specs, but don't forget to factor in servicing and inspection of all components. 200+ bar is a lot of pressure to release accidentally.
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Posted By Rob Randall
Hi Terry,
Don't know what is technically possible with your aquarium system but don't be misled by talk of having the system statutorily examined.
The HASAW Act and associated SI's does not apply to what you do in your own home even if it is dangerous.
Regards
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Posted By Jane Blunt
As has been said, the specification of the regulator is crucial. Your posting is unclear, since there is a difference between the maximum pressure displayed on the dial face and its rated maximum pressure. The latter is usually found written on the regulator somewhere (on a label, perhaps), and will be lower than the maximum pressure displayed on the dial face.
If you buy the gas but rent the cylinder the responsibility for the statutory examination of the cylinder remains with the owner - the gas company.
For your own safety you should replace the regulator at the intervals suggested by the suppliers.
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Posted By Mike
I would query that figure of 170 bar with the supplier. The vapour pressure of CO2 around normal ambient temperatures is 56 bar. Larger cylinders have more liquid CO2 but the pressure can't go above 56 bar at 20 deg C. As long as some liquid remains the pressure is the same (at constant temperature).
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Posted By terry bull
Hi Mike - I very much appreciate that information. I'm afraid I'm a a total layman as far as bottled gases are concerned. I went to have a look at a cylinder this morning, unfortunately I hadn't read your comment at that time. The info. I did read stamped onto the cylinder was TP 232bar??? No idea what that meant. The guys at the bottled gas Distributor didn't seem to know the answer to my question about suitability of my regulator for this cylinder. Is it possible that you could point me in the direction of some documented info. that would confirm what you have told me. Many thanks
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Posted By Mike
Terry,
TP 232 bar is the test pressure rating of the cylinder. I can't advise on the suitability of regulators. It's really the job of the distributor and it's disappointing that they were not more helpful. The British Compressed Gas Association website has some general safety information but the BCGA seems to be more set up to advise its members than individual enquirers. Perhaps your distributor is a member.
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Posted By terry bull
Hi mike - thks for coming back to me so quickly. I was really seeking confirmation on the vapour pressure of 56 bar that you mentioned, if thats the pressure going to the cylinder pressure gauge then I'm happy. Thks again Terry
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Posted By Mike
Terry,
You can either Google for carbon dioxide vapour pressure msds > and you should find something - or you can use this online data base
http://esc.syrres.com/interkow/webprop.exe
and enter the CAS registry number 124-38-9. It gives a figure of 48,300 mm Hg at 25 deg C
To convert pressures in psi to bar - divide by 14.7
To convert mm Hg to bar - divide by 760.
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Posted By terry bull
Mike - thks - excellent. Regards Terry
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Posted By Renny Thomson
Sorry, but what has this got to do with OCCUPATIONAL Safety?
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Posted By Sally
well if his CO2 cylinder explodes on him he won't be fit for work that's for sure.
I can't see what the problem with someone asking for advice on a topic that uses peoples professional knowledge is.
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Posted By terry bull
Thank you Sally - makes sense to me.
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Posted By Graeme Barrie
Terry, do you know anyone local to you who is involved in technical services for either a brewery or soft drinks company? The larger CO2 cylinders are used widely throught the drinks industry and a friendly contact there may manage to provide either information on the reg you have or perhaps even have a spare which would fit the bill. The use of CO2 for drinks can vary greatly in both pressure and/or volume used and so many of the regs can be adjusted to suit... In principal, it can be done!
Hope it helps!
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