GAS CYLINDERS AND CRYOGENIC LIQUID TANKS

Preview This section discusses the hazards of gas cylinders and cryogenic liquid tanks, and safety measures to take when handling or working with these containers. 

A firefighter quoted at the scene of a laboratory explosion injuring four.  

What lessons can be learned from these incidents  

Laboratory Safety for Chemistry Students, Second Edition. Robert H. Hill, Jr. and David C. Finster. 2016 John Wiley Sons, Inc. Published 2016 by John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

FIGURE 5.3.1.1 Gas Cylinders Showing Safety Brackets, Valves, and Regulators. Gas cylinders must always be secured to a laboratory bench or other immobile object so that they cannot fall over, snap off the regulator, and turn into missiles. 

---

Argon is most economically shipped as a liquid. Liquid argon commonly is transported in liquid cylinders, cryogenic trailers, and portable tanks. Argon can be shipped in high-pressure gas cylinders and high-pressure cylinder trailers. 

By Rail In DOT/TC approved cylinders as a compressed gas, and tank cars as a cryogenic liquid (compressed gas and cryogenic liquid forbidden on passenger-carrying rail cars). 

Traditionally, inerts have been obtained from sources such as high-pressure gas cylinders or tube trailers or through evaporation of cryogenic liquids from bulk tanks. Other sources of inerts include (NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, National Fire Protection Association, 2002 FM Global, Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-59, Inerting and Purging of Tanks, Process Vessels, and Equipment, 2000)... 

Incident 5.3.1.1 in Section 5.3.1 on gas cylinders). When transferring cryogens from a storage tank to an open flask, you should use a phase separator (Figure 5.3.9.3). This is a tube with a device at the end that separates the gas and the liquid and allows the Uquid to be transferred with less splashing. Transfer of cryogens should only be carried out in well-ventilated areas to prevent hazard from asphyxiation. 

By Water In the United States, in DOT approved cylinders, portable tanks, and cargo tanks on cargo vessels and passenger vessels within Stowage category A limitations for compressed gas and category B for cryogenic liquid. 

---