GAS CYLINDER SIZES
Cylinders or bundles are suitable for supplying smaller quantities, particularly for cutting and welding and food applications. The range of cylinder-sizes varies from very small cylinders for mobile use up to bundles for big demands.
Cylinder sizes are mostly expressed in (water) volumetric content of the cylinders. Typical sizes are 50, 33, 20, 10, 5 and 1 liter cylinders. For some gases like carbon dioxide and acetylene the content is expressed in kg. It is the weight of the product in the cylinder.
Cylinders are sometimes combined in bundles : cylinders are fixed to a frame and the valves of the cylinders are connected by piping and lead to one output controlled by a valve. Bundles allow to increase the volume and throughput of the cylinders and thus intended to service bigger consumers. Modern bundles like the Messer Megapack are typically made up of larger cylinders an can contain 400 or more liter (combined) content.
There are also a number of custom made sizes for big volumes and small sizes. We refer to the relevant article under this link (link to the CAN Gas article)
GAS CYLINDER MATERIALSs
Low pressure gases can be stored in welded steel cylinders. The normal industrial gases and do not contain any weld and are produced in a tightly controled extrusion process. Every single cylinder is pressure tested and marked as such: they are capable of withstanding the high pressures. When there are special requirements to the purity of the gas contained the material of the cylinder can be either aluminum or stainless steel. Ask your specialist at Messer for more information about the subject
GAS CYLINDER PRESSURES
Except for a few exceptions like carbon dioxide, acetylene and nitrous oxide, the majority of the gases remain gases under pressure. Typical pressure in a gas cylinder are 150 bar, 200 bar or 300 bar. The bigger the pressure in the cylinder the more gas can be stored. Modern manufacturing allows to produce cylinders that can withstand pressures of 300 bars (they can withstand 450 bars as they are tested under these conditions)
GAS CYLINDER COLORS
The DIN EN 1089-3 norms regulates the color of the shoulder of the cylinders. More information can be found on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottled_gas) or the Messer shoulder color gas app so that you have the knowledge of the right color always in your pocket
GAS CYLINDER VALVES
Every gas type has its defined valve connection. The advantage of the different connection is afety: you cannot connect (by accident) a cylinder with a wrong gas. The disadvantage is that you need every gas the right connector. Worse, historically every country had its own safety standard enshrined in a norm (AFNOR, DIN , ISO, …) so that you had to replace your equipment (or previously purchase a coupling piece. Only for the 300 bar cylinders the connectors where harmonized and you should be able to use the same connector across Europe. For more information about valves, Messer has developed an app for your smartphone: be informed about the used threads for the major gases wherever you go in Europe
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF GAS CYLINDERS
The cylinders should be retested every 10 years (or 5 years) in line with the legal regulations. You should be find a sticker (or a stamp) with the next pressure testing date. If past this date you are not any longer allowed to transport the cylinder over the road. Please do contact Messer in case such cylinders are available at your premises prior to the transport.
GAS SAFETY
For more information about our trainings on the subject we refer to our page on “safety”.
GAS CYLINDER MARKINGS
Every cylinder has its production number stamped into the metal. Beside of this stamp you will typically find on a gas cylinder :
- the stamp and sticker for the next pressure testing date
- a banana shaped stick containing the information on product, safety & transport information relating to the product
- a barcode that allows the producer to trace the cylinder during the production, distribution and collecting of the empties.
