Proper way to store tanks?

[Drew Sailbum]

Sorry... I don't get a rationale about why the tank should be full for the storage matter....

It is a matter of safety if there should be a fire.

In a fire a tank heats up. As the gas inside gets hotter, it increases in pressure.

The idea is that with a full tank the increase in pressure will rupture the burst disk and drain the tank safely before the tank itself would fail due to the effects of heat on the metal of the tank.

With a small enough amount a pressure, even if the tank did rupture due to the effects of fire, there would be little damage or danger to the fire fighters.

There is a more dangerous middle ground. If a tank is say half full, the heating in a fire would not be enough to increase the pressure to the point of rupturing the burst disk. Instead the effects of the fire could cause the tank to rupture. A tank with 1500psi would cause plenty of damage if it explosively failed and could seriously endanger fire fighters.

 

[ScubaInChicago]

The rack looks awesome +10, not a cat person though -4. Add diamond plating +5. Nice job...

 

[H2Andy]

so that's what ... an 11?

which is LOUDER (but not necessarily BETTER) than a 10

 

[Tommymac]

When I store my steel tanks for the winter season, I first empty them slowly and completely before removing the valves and visually inspecting them. If the interior looks dry and clean with no rusting, the valves go back in and the valve is closed. If a scuba tank valve can hold 3000 psi in the tank, a closed valve is not going to let any exchange of air or humidity inside your tank. The only logical reason I can think of for leaving pressure in a tank, is to let you know if the valve is open or closed.

Its not a question of steel tanks rusting, add moisture and oxygen and they will rust. If you store a steel tank dry and empty, you won't have enough moisture or oxygen to be of any concern.

If your last hydro or air fill left water in your tank, storing your tank with pressure in it, could make your next VIP, your tanks last.

In the case of fire, your tanks are shot. I feel it is the dvers responsibility to take that tank out of service and to the scrap yard.

As for aluminum tanks, my personal policy is not to own one. Long live the old steel 72

 

[Hoosier]

It is a matter of safety if there should be a fire.

In a fire a tank heats up. As the gas inside gets hotter, it increases in pressure.

Thanks...... So, it is mainly due to the fire possibility....

 

[Doc Harry]

Try the search function. This question gets asked every 2-3 weeks and there are dozens and dozens and dozens of threads on this subject.

Here's my contribution to the subject:

Scuba Cylinder Long-Term Storage: Fact and Fiction

 

[Hoosier]

Here's my contribution to the subject:

Scuba Cylinder Long-Term Storage: Fact and Fiction

Thanks...... You DA Man!

 

[crpntr133]

Thanks...... So, it is mainly due to the fire possibility....

I thought you took a PSI VIP class?? And yes it is for the fire safety..nothing to do with diving.

 

[roby jeff]

from Faber steel cylinder litterature that was supplied with my newcylinders...

"If storing for 6 mnths or longer reduce the pressure in the tank down to 30 or 40 bar. This will extend the life of the tank"

 

[halocline]

When I store my steel tanks for the winter season, I first empty them slowly and completely before removing the valves and visually inspecting them. If the interior looks dry and clean with no rusting, the valves go back in and the valve is closed. If a scuba tank valve can hold 3000 psi in the tank, a closed valve is not going to let any exchange of air or humidity inside your tank. The only logical reason I can think of for leaving pressure in a tank, is to let you know if the valve is open or closed.

Its not a question of steel tanks rusting, add moisture and oxygen and they will rust. If you store a steel tank dry and empty, you won't have enough moisture or oxygen to be of any concern.

The only problem with this scenario is that you are not leaving your tanks empty, you are leaving them full of room air that has moisture content. If after doing your inspection you could put a vacuum on them, that might work.

Otherwise, after doing your inspection, the best thing would be to fill the tank with dry scuba air, breathe it down (taking with it virtually all the moisture from the ambient air in the tank when you put the valve on) and leave a few PSI for the winter.