Almost Died today

[Jeff Hood]

Well when I picked up the tank it was more than just cool to the touch. It was Ice cold. I put it in the back seat of my truck and drove home ( 15 min.) It was hot but the tank continued to feel Ice cold when I put it in the cabinate. It was hooked up for at least 30 min to an hour before the rupture. I keep my house at 72 degrees and the cabinate is probably no higher than 78. The last fill I had the pressure was a constant 800 psi. This time as stated earlier it was very high. Nothing else seemed strange. I guess the ambient temps have a great effect more than what I would have thought just as you said BReefcase even though the tank felt Ice Cold when I brought it home.
Thanks for the Physics reminder ( its been 15 years!) Very helpfull!

Jeff

 

[dbman]

Aside from that, don't forget that there are manufacturing variances on everything; you could have just happened to get a pressure relief disk that was on the low end of the tolerance scale or maybe one that had an internal defect that was growing with each pressure cycle. I wouldn't stress about it too much. It could have been a temperature issue but from what he's saying it seems unlikely that it got hot enough to blow the PRV. If it happens again... you really need to think about relocating your CO2 storage.

A thought... has anyone put a hose on their relief valves to route any blown-off CO2 outside their home? (much the same way that the release valves on an automotive nitrous tank dump out under the car)

 

[cmc1]

Anyone else had something like this happen and what did you do first?

 

[Anonymous]

lol - 'm sorry Jeff, but I like the way you told the story - your wife standing right next to it, the dogs not going in the kitchen anymore and frost everywhere. I'm sorry, I know it's not funny now, but...

Welcome back Breefcase.

 

[fishpoo]

In NJ tanks must be periodically inspected and the ones i work with are. That said, every now and then one will let go. the top valve just gives and watch out. They can be like a rocket. Be sure to keep them upright and straped in place is not a bad idea.

 

[Lynn]

BReefCase...I just gotta say " I'm Impressed"!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

hi.
When the PRV blows, it is equivalent to a gun shoot. Really LOUD!

The initial blow will probably push off any rubber tubing on the PRV, if you put one on.

Sequential is a fast release of gas, probably at only a few cubic feet per seconds. It is not powerful at all, and will not push your tank up in the air

CO2 tank must be hydro-ed every five years. For most tank under 10 lb, the tank is too light to knock out the top valve when tip over, so most don't have the collar to protect the top valve. But keeping it well secured and upright is still important.

 

[bensenvill]

Ya I once knocked over a 5 footer at work while rough housing. It will scare the crap out of you. I'm not sure where you guys go to get your tanks filled (you may want to go else where). I beleive law requires you to have the valve tested every 5 years (otherwise they shouldnt be filling it). The tank I have running my keggerator in the basement is over 50 years old and I know thats happend a few times. A bar supply store can get that valve head replaced for you.

 

[suckair]

Liquid co2 pressure at normal room temp is in the 800lb range. If you just got a fill "thre is not much room for off-gasing" if it is in direct sunlight that can happen!

It is not dangerous. Just scary

 

[suckair]

Liquid co2 pressure at normal room temp is in the 800lb range. If you just got a fill "thre is not much room for off-gasing" if it is in direct sunlight that can happen!

It is not dangerous. Just scary