Life Span of CO2 cylinder

**adeguay** · 13th Nov 2009, 22:01

Did anyone know the life span of the CO2 cylinder is 5 years?
Today went to a commerical CO2 refill provider, they refuse to refill for me and ask me to sent the cylinder for testing as my cylinder was dated 1992.
According to them after testing, the cylinder will be fit for use in another 5 years and this is a requirement by government.
Is this truth?
Or i am con?
The testing cost is $15 exculding GST and will take more than 1 day.

**Ebi** · 13th Nov 2009, 23:23

Adeguay-san,

Yes, the mandatory (hydrostatic) testing period is 5 years (think aluminium cylinders are 4 years only). But dont think any LFS auntie or uncle has "bothered" about it so far when i send my cylinder for refill.

Anyway, CO2 is an inert gas, hence should not have any internal corrosion unless one has used it without a check valve and wrong placement, etc. leading to water ingress. The usual deterioration of the seamless cylinder is external and unless yours is in damn "jialat" condition, don't think the vendor will refuse to refill.

By the way, the test in question involves a visual
inspection for corrosion and dents, and any swelling at the seams, then emptying the cylinder and placing it in a test chamber that brings it up to 2 1/2 times the operating pressure - the whole point of the test being to ensure that the cylinder is strong enough to hold the pressure that it was designed/fabricated/rated for.

**|squee|** · 14th Nov 2009, 01:22

Weird, I'd have expected the commercial CO2 refill provider to have hydrostatic testing services as well.

**tawauboy** · 14th Nov 2009, 10:00

aquarium-use co2 cylinder undergoes much much lesser pressurisation and depressurisation cycles when compared to industrial-use cylinders. so the probability of failure from fatigue is very low. however, it is prudent to send co2 cylinders for hydrostatic testing. after the test, the neck of the cylinder will be stamped with the test date.

at 1000+ psi, an exploding cylinder is a mini bomb.

**adeguay** · 14th Nov 2009, 22:05

Guy, Thank for your advice.

Now i don't feel con. At least my house & family is safe for another 5 year after the test.

**An2timun** · 16th Nov 2009, 18:20

Originally Posted by tawauboy

after the test, the neck of the cylinder will be stamped with the test date.

when "stamped". you mean stickers?..or engrave on the steel.? I'm trying to find mine but cannot make out which one. Normally how will it be "stamped"?

**Ebi** · 17th Nov 2009, 00:27

Originally Posted by An2timun

when "stamped". you mean stickers?..or engrave on the steel.? I'm trying to find mine but cannot make out which one. Normally how will it be "stamped"?

Hi An2timun-san,

Industrial lingo: Hard-stamped / soft-stamped
Layman's lingo: metal punched / dot punched

Sorry I don't have a camera with me now to foto my cylinder for you, but u can refer to this link http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=2059688 for more information.

Of course not all "filling stations" adhere strictly to the required info that is supposed to be stamped on the cylinder, in fact some even stenciled it on only (not acceptable if these cylinders are to be certified for industrial use).
As a minimum, the WTP (Water Test Pressure), Date of Test, the Test Report Number and, sometimes the witnessing/certifying authority's Stamp or Mark is also stamped/punched into the steel cylinder below the neck for authenticity and traceability.
For aluminium cylinders, the info may be soft stamped (dot-punched) instead.

Or u can read this (http://www.luxfercylinders.com/downl...intball_uk.pdf) if it offers an easier understanding on care of thes stored pressure cylinders.

Hope this helps.

**adeguay** · 21st Nov 2009, 06:49

Collected my cylinder yesterday. Here the stamp they do for me.

Hope it help anyone that buy 2nd hand cylinder to look for this too.

**An2timun** · 24th Nov 2009, 12:24

Ebi-san, Arigato gozaimasu.

bro-adequay
you mind giving details of where you get the cylinder tested? how much you paid for it? and how long its done? I need to get mine tested cos its stamped 2002. thanks.

**adeguay** · 24th Nov 2009, 18:15

I hope i am not breaking any rule by stating the address.

For the safetly of all bro here, the address as below.
It Cost $15 exculding GST and it take 2-3 days. Mine take one week because they can't find my HP number.

Asia Industrial Gases
8, Gul Road, jurong
S(629341)
Tel :68614000