Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Handling
of
Handling
of Safe
Compressed Gases in
the
Compressed Gases in
the
Laboratory
and
Plant
and Plant Laboratory
Safe Handling
of
H
a
n
d
l
i
n
g
o
f
c
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
e
d
g
a
s
e
s
m
u
s
t
b
e
Compressed
Compressed
Gases in the
Gases in the
Laboratory
Laboratory
and Plant
Before we are allowed to drive a car, most
states require proof of our ability to drive. To
become a proficient and safe driver, one
must have skill, judgment, and driver
education. We do not always consider that
we are performing a hazardous operation by
driving a car; yet the fact remains that many
people are killed or hurt every day as a result
of carelessness in handling this machine.
Although the safety record of the
compressed gas industry is excellent, the
questions raised by the users of gas products,
and the accidents involving these same users,
show that many of them have neither learned
nor applied the safety measures that would
earn them their license for handling
compressed gas. When handled by personnel
who are properly trained and aware of the
potential hazards, compressed gases are as
safe to work with as most of the ordinary
chemical
liquids and solids normally handled on a
routine basis in any laboratory or plant.
A compressed gas is defined by the
Table 1
4
.
cylinders,
even for a
short
distance.
!%'$+!$%
5. Never tamper with pressure relief
+!$%%&"$)&"'&#$"&&(#%
"!" #&%%%'%
+$"!!"*+!%&"$&"&$
devices in valves or cylinders.
+!$((%"#!)!+!$%
6. Do not store full and empty cylinders
!"&!'%!&&$'&"$)&
together.
"%%$((%!"&%'!&
7.
Do not have full and empty cylinders
$*&!'%$%!"&#$%!&'$!
connected
to the same manifold.
)!'$!!"$$,!"#$&"!%
Reverse flow can occur when an empty
"%&+%")$%!+)%
cylinder is attached to a pressurized
"'!&!%)$"$$"%(%%$
'%
system.
"% %%!"$%"!&!
8. No part of a cylinder should be
$&!##$&'%"!(!!&+
subjected to a temperature higher than
"&!$$%)$&"*%%
125F. A flame should never be
$'%"$%&"$
General Precautions
Some general precautions for handling,
storing, and using compressed gases
follow.2, 3, 4
1.
2.
3.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Cylinders
Figure 1 Cylinder parts and markings.
18.
19.
a
c
c
o
r
d
a
n
c
e
w
i
t
h
r
e
c
o
g
n
i
z
e
d
s
t
a
n
d
a
r
d
s
.
17.
i
n
Figure 2
6214A
Holder
Holder
Figure 5 Model 700 and
701
Small Cylinder Stands
1.
2.
3.
f
u
s
i
b
l
e
4.
Figure 9
6530 Series
Model
Cylinder Storage
Racks
temperature.
ylinder
f
a
i
l
t
o
f
u
n
c
t
i
o
n
p
r
o
p
e
r
l
y
i
f
a
n
i
Gases
i
g
u
r
e
1
2
.
I
t
c
o
n
s
i
s
t
s
o
f
a
s
p
r
i
n
g
-
1.
2.
ma
y
in
dic
ate
a
lea
ki
ng
val
ve
wh
ich
ca
n
be
a
ser
io
us
saf
ety
iss
ue.
)
3.
4.
c
o
n
s
t
a
n
t
a
s
q
As the content of a cylinder of nonliquefied u
gas is discharged, the cylinder pressure
i
decreases by an amount proportional to the d
amount withdrawn. The cylinder should be
considered empty while positive pressure (25i
psig or greater) still remains, in order to
s
prevent reverse flow and contamination.
Failure to close the valve on an empty
p
cylinder will allow air and moisture to be
r
drawn into the cylinder as it breathes
e
during temperature changes; an explosive s
mixture may build up if the gas is
e
flammable; and an extremely corrosive
n
condition will be created in cylinders that t
contain chlorine, hydrogen chloride, or
.
other acid-forming or corrosive gases.
As the vapor phase of a liquefied gas is
withdrawn from a cylinder, the cylinder
pressure or vapor pressure will remain
Figure 13
Cylinder Scales
Leak Detection
Check cylinders
and
all
connections under
pressure for leaks
prior to using the
contents.
When using toxic
gases, it is
advisable
that
some device be
used to
warn of the
presence of toxic
concentrations.
Figure 14 - Model
8066 LeakHunter
Plus
There are
numerous
monitoring devices available for detection of
dangerous concentrations of gases in the
atmosphere (Figure 14). There are also
appropriate chemical procedures for
detecting leaks in lines and equipment and
for determining dangerous concentrations of
gases in the atmosphere. The user of gases
should become familiar with suitable control
procedures for the determination of such
dangerous concentrations. Instructions are
usually supplied in the Materials Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS) associated with the
particular gas being used. MSDS sheets can
www.mathesongas.com/MSDS
1.
2.
Shut off electrical power to
prevent ignition of a leaking flammable
gas.
3.
4.
5.
Other
Safety
MATHESON
Ideas
from
The wheels
are
designated
hi-load
capacity
and there is
rigid rear
carriage
support which supports the
weight of the cylinders to
balance the truck and
When transporting
cylinders, one or two,
we recommend the use
of heavy duty hand
trucks. The hand
trucks that we propose
Model 6214A
Two
to handle compressed
gas cylinders and transport them safely over
all types of surfaces, even gravel beds.
C
a
MATHESON Gas
Cabinets
Many industries have
recognized gas
cylinder cabinets as a
cost effective way of
protecting life and
property from toxic,
flammable and
corrosive gases. Gas
cabinets can also help
the user comply with
building and fire
codes
specified by federal,
b
i
n
e
t
s
a
r
e
Model 1170 Series Gas
agencies.
MATHESONs line of gas cabinets
offers many advantages to users:
f
i
t
t
e
d
w
i
t
h
u
n
i
s
t
r
u
t
s
u
p
References
1.
R.
P
r
i
n
t
e
d
i
n
U
S
A
BR-11 R05/11