Hi
Could someone tell me what needs to be done to oxygen clean tanks for nitrox
Could someone tell me what needs to be done to oxygen clean tanks for nitrox
How to Oxygen Clean tanks
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The cylinder must be cleaned of hydrocarbon contamination and any organic cleaning agent must be completely removed.
A few rounds on a tank tumbler with a solution of common degreaser is a start. Lots of water to flush the degreaser follows. Clean the and neck threads of any silicone or o-ring residue beofre you final wash and rinse cycle.
The trick is testing to confirm (as best as possible) the lack of hydrocarbon contamination.
Half fill a small vial with some of the final rinse solution and seal the container before shaking vigorously. If bubbles persist, then more rinsing is needed to remove remaining cleaning agent. Additionally check the rinse water under UV light. Soem organic contaminants fluoresce under UV light.
A final wash with an anti-rust compund may help steel tanks minimize rusting whiel they dry.
The valve must be similarly cleaned. An ultrasonic bath makes this much easier. O-rings and any non-O2 compatible materials should be swapped out according to manufacturer's recommendations. Use only O2 compatible lubricants (such as Christolube) during reassembly.
A few rounds on a tank tumbler with a solution of common degreaser is a start. Lots of water to flush the degreaser follows. Clean the and neck threads of any silicone or o-ring residue beofre you final wash and rinse cycle.
The trick is testing to confirm (as best as possible) the lack of hydrocarbon contamination.
Half fill a small vial with some of the final rinse solution and seal the container before shaking vigorously. If bubbles persist, then more rinsing is needed to remove remaining cleaning agent. Additionally check the rinse water under UV light. Soem organic contaminants fluoresce under UV light.
A final wash with an anti-rust compund may help steel tanks minimize rusting whiel they dry.
The valve must be similarly cleaned. An ultrasonic bath makes this much easier. O-rings and any non-O2 compatible materials should be swapped out according to manufacturer's recommendations. Use only O2 compatible lubricants (such as Christolube) during reassembly.
quimby
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http://www.gmcscuba.com/main.php?content_url=Library
heres a good start for reading material, a edge towards sales but solid info
Going to order a jug of http://www.bluegoldcleaner.com/
and seems to be pretty well thought of also.
I normally tumble the tank for a few minutes with a solution of simple green and then rinse thoroughly. I will do the final rinse with hot water and then dry the tank with warm air to prevent flash rust. Anti-rust compouds make me nervous if it is a tank I'll be breathing out of.
Valves get a dip in the ultrasound machine in addition to the simple green and rinse treatment and are then reassembled with christolube and O2 compatible o-rings.
Valves get a dip in the ultrasound machine in addition to the simple green and rinse treatment and are then reassembled with christolube and O2 compatible o-rings.
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to whether you will be blending your own nitrox or getting it blended at a shop. The procedures that have been given are correct but getting a dive operator to certify it O2 clean without cleaning it themselves is a different matter. Without that magic sticker most operators that I know will not accept it as an O2 clean tank if they fill by partial pressure.
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