Author: don.c.hull@... Time: Fri Aug 10, 2001 11:47 am PDT Link
Okay folks,
I admit I'm not a computer ace like Doug. Look in the Files section
for an album in which I have placed two photos of a ruptured
compressed air tank. The pictures go with the following Safety
Bulletin distributed here at work. The message is be sure to
periodically drain condensate from the tank to prevent corrosion.
=========================================================
Recent At-Home Incident Involving Compressed Air Tank
BEWARE!!!!
Pressure vessels, like other unfired pressure vessels, have to be
checked visually, as well as mechanically, for integrity on a
periodic basis. Some organizations additionally require
certifications biennially (which includes a hydrostatic test on the
cylinders).
Rupture/Explosion: Some of you may use this same type of portable air
tanks for filling tires, etc. at work (or home). Please read the
information followed by viewing the pictures. These tanks can be very
dangerous, as the pictures indicate. Remember, these are pressure
vessels. For your own safety and the safety of others, if you have a
portable air tank like this, you should inspect it periodically and
if it shows any signs of deterioration, throw it away. You can only
imagine what could have happen had the user been standing over the
tank as it was being filled.
As It Happened: An employee, while off work, was putting air into a
portable air tank that had a capacity rating of 125 psig. When he
reached 80 pounds, the tank ruptured/exploded in the back of his
pickup and caused a "crater" in the bed of his truck. The explosion
blew him off the back of the pickup and onto his back, covering him
with water, oil and general "crud" from within the tank. Upon initial
rupture, the owner of the tank was leaning over the bed of his pickup
to fill the tank, and was partially over the tank itself.
Fortunately, he was not seriously injured. Sprained wrists, bruising
and one minor cut. When looking at the pictures of the tank, it is
easy to notice that this portable tank had been heavily exposed to
the elements of weather, and the tank was not in very good shape. It
is noteworthy that the initial rupture did NOT happen at one of the
seams, but about an inch away from one of the side seams. Realizing
that this was a "privately owned" air tank, we also realize that
these portable tanks are used in all kinds of industrial facilities
for various purposes. All the tanks we have looked at have no way of
draining liquid from them. They have no petcocks or drains that we
can find. Collecting condensation keeps the interior of the tank wet
and it corrodes internally.
What You Can Do:The greatest concern with low pressure shop air tanks
is corrosion. External corrosion can occur if the tank is not
properly protected from the elements. These air tanks should be
inspected at regular intervals for early signs of corrosion. Light
oxidation can easily be removed from the tank with a wire brush. A
coat of primer and paint on the exposed areas will restore the tank
and prevent the spread of corrosion. Heavy corrosion (metal loss,
pitting) is more serious. These tanks should be removed from service.
Unlike external corrosion, internal corrosion is hard to detect and
damaged areas are very hard to restore. Moisture is introduced into
these shop air tanks via the compressor. Large shop air tanks are
constructed with drain valves. Accumulated moisture should be removed
daily by opening the drain valve while the tank is pressurized. On
smaller shop air tanks with no drain valves, moisture can be removed
by removing a fitting (after venting the tank to 0 PSIG) and
inverting the tank. Additional items which should be inspected on a
regular basis include: mounting brackets and bolting, dents, damaged
valves and gages. In addition, portable shop air tanks should always
be properly supported while being transported. If a leak is detected
anywhere on the tank (excluding fittings), immediately release the
pressure and discard the tank.
Author: "Greg Tanner" <gtanner@...> Time: Fri Aug 10, 2001 11:50 am PDT Link
I received the photos as an attachment in the original email.
Greg
Author: don.c.hull@... Time: Fri Aug 10, 2001 11:54 am PDT Link
--- In vansairforce@y..., "Greg Tanner" <gtanner@b...> wrote:
>
> I received the photos as an attachment in the original email.
>
> Greg
Great, Greg!
Apparently some could not open the photos so Doug suggested I create
an album.
Don