2007-04-20 12:23:21 · 4 answers · asked by Jean Marc P 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
NO it would not be safe and it may be illegal.
Helium is an inset gas often used to prevent oxidation (burning) by providing a non-oxidizing environment. Air contains Oxygen which is the most common oxidizer.
Because of safety concerns, often set in law, the various compressed gas tanks are color coded and the tank valves have a series of different exit fittings depending on the gas. This makes it impossible to connect a helium tank or a nitrogen tank to an oxygen hose or to an air hose. These specially shaped and threaded fittings are designated by the Compressed Gas Association and have CGA numbers assigned to each gas.
To convert a helium tank to an air tank you will have to change the CGA designed tank shutoff valve, repaint the tank and have it inspected and certified for the new duty.
2007-04-20 13:46:25 · answer #1 · answered by Bomba 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From a purely physical standpoint. The tank does not operate differently containing vapor pressure of air or helium. However, make sure you have a pressure relief device to prevent overpressurization. Also, I would ask why the tank is not being used for helium any longer- is it old and has its rating expired. If so, then it may not be safe of anything under pressure.
From the perspective of the use of the product- you do have some safety concerns to address. First of all, what will the air be used for? If its serious like filling respirators, you certainly should take great care to make sure all helium has been evacuated. If your just using an old tank as an accumulator on your garage air compressor to run your nail gun, this is much less of a problem.
If you are in a setting other than and private residence you will have legal requirments to comply with safety and fire regulations. For example, the fire deparment needs to know or have a way to identify what is in the tank if they get called to a fire at that location. You can also get in big trouble with the safety regulations if you dont meet certain requirements.
Refilling the tank could require modification to hardware.
2007-04-20 14:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by MrWiz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes,provided that the air pressure in the tank is kept below the pressure rating of the tank. If it is to be used on a long term basis, be sure that the air supplied to the tank is clean and dry so that no rusting occurs in the tank. Put a safety valve on the tank so that you cannot over pressure it. Helium is stored at quite high pressures so it is not likely that you will exceed the pressure rating of the tank unless you have a multistage air compressor. Maximum and safe working pressures should be stamped on it somewhere.
2007-04-20 13:07:04 · answer #3 · answered by Grumpy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think helium tank can be used as air storage tank provided it is at the same pressure or lower. Traces of helium left in cylinder will not contaminate air which is already a mixture of gases.
However, the opposite may not be true as air in tank will contaminate the helium.
2007-04-21 00:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by dipakrashmi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋