Old Tank - Is it CO2?

[uncleben113]

Very good point about external threads. Could be oxygen, CO2, or something weird. But not helium, argon, air, etc.
https://www.concoa.com/cgachart.html

Does the regulator have a tapered fitting, or a flat-faced fitting with a gasket?

That chart is amazingly helpful. Thank you. I'll check for the fitting too shortly.

A couple other things I found interesting and helpful:
If I remember correctly, the tank is filled with liquefied gas which means it's limited to a small number of possibilities including anhydrous ammonia, chlorine, butane, propane, nitrous oxide, and CO2. All of these are identifiable through smell, initially and some are flammable, except for nitrous oxide and CO2. If the gas doesn't have a pungent smell, it will have to be nitrous oxide or CO2. Also, I'm finding that the color of the tank is incredibly unreliable. There seems to be multiple standards for colors and red falls under hydrogen, extinguishing CO2, or propane.

If the tank winds up being filled with liquefied gas, then it is definitely not argon, nitrogen, or helium since those don't liquefy. I know that liquid nitrogen exists but that isn't put into tanks like this one.

 

[TallDan]

Stop in at a couple of area welding supply/gas places. Some shops and some staff at shops are much more willing to trade than others. One guy may not be able or willing to do anything out of the norm, but the next will recognize a deal that's beneficial to both you and him.

I traded an empty 15lb out of cert co2 tank for a full, certified 5lb co2 tank at my local airgas several years ago. Worked for me at the time since the 15lb is an odd size that I couldn't swap and the re-certification was going to cost me on top of it.

 

[uncleben113]

Stop in at a couple of area welding supply/gas places. Some shops and some staff at shops are much more willing to trade than others. One guy may not be able or willing to do anything out of the norm, but the next will recognize a deal that's beneficial to both you and him.

I traded an empty 15lb out of cert co2 tank for a full, certified 5lb co2 tank at my local airgas several years ago. Worked for me at the time since the 15lb is an odd size that I couldn't swap and the re-certification was going to cost me on top of it.

I'm likely going to give this a whirl, regardless of what's in my tank

Speaking of the tank, I lined up some tests/checks to do and I'm through some of them. As of now, I am almost positive there's liquid inside. I can feel some shifting when I tilt it so I think I'm good there. Also, the gas has no smell so I'm almost positive that it's CO2 or nitrous oxide. Upon realizing there is orange tape on it, I worried for a second that it was anhydrous ammonia but it is odorless. Also, I removed the regulator and took a closer look...

http://imgur.com/a/dcghq

I haven't checked it yet but I'm almost positive it's the correct fitting for a CO2 regulator. I'm going to dig out my newer regulator shortly and test to see if it fits. I'm feeling much more confident that it is actually CO2 and I'm not going to die. Any thoughts at this point? I'm thinking I'll carb up some water and see how it acts.

Also, given the markings, this seems to be a 29 1/4# tank?

edit: the threads are normal too

 

[z-bob]

Just a guess, 29 1/4 lbs is the tare weight. It's usually stamped on the tank itself somewhere.

 

[uncleben113]

Just a guess, 29 1/4 lbs is the tare weight. It's usually stamped on the tank itself somewhere.

That makes more sense. Thanks

 

[uncleben113]

I just tried to fit the regulator on the tank and it fit. I'm confident that I have CO2 so I'm going to carb up a small batch of applewine and see what happens. Thanks for all of the helpful input. Here are a few resources for future reference.

https://www.concoa.com/cgachart.html
http://allgas.com/compressed-gas-tanks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottled_gas

 

[stan1007]

Isn't it the regulator connection off the valve that determines the gas inside. Each gas type has its own specific regulator and coupling. Definitely take it in, they may swap it for you with something useful inside. Chances are it's out of hydro date anyway.

Connection types are general. The greatest difference is in fuel vs. inert gases where the threads are reversed. All fuel gas tanks have left hand threads (left=tighten). O2 and CO2 usually have different inlet threading but adapters are readily available.

 

[stan1007]

Stop in at a couple of area welding supply/gas places. Some shops and some staff at shops are much more willing to trade than others. One guy may not be able or willing to do anything out of the norm, but the next will recognize a deal that's beneficial to both you and him.

I traded an empty 15lb out of cert co2 tank for a full, certified 5lb co2 tank at my local airgas several years ago. Worked for me at the time since the 15lb is an odd size that I couldn't swap and the re-certification was going to cost me on top of it.

AirGas has become a PITA in the last couple of years. They really cranked down on the franchises in my area and stepped on most of those "under the radar" type deals.

 

[uncleben113]

Connection types are general. The greatest difference is in fuel vs. inert gases where the threads are reversed. All fuel gas tanks have left hand threads (left=tighten). O2 and CO2 usually have different inlet threading but adapters are readily available.

At this point, I feel pretty confident that it's CO2. After researching the types of gases and which ones liquefy, I feel good about trying it out. I'll report back when I get my applewine carbed up

 

[uncleben113]

AirGas has become a PITA in the last couple of years. They really cranked down on the franchises in my area and stepped on most of those "under the radar" type deals.

Thanks for the input. I'll keep that in mind. Like others have suggested, I think I'll just drive around to the ones in my area until I get someone that will trade it. Starting with those smaller ones sounds more appealing at this point

 

[z-bob]

You might as well use up the gas that is in there.

The CO2 already in the tank doesn't know or care that the tank needs to be recertified. That's a pretty big tank; you might never need to refill it -- kinda like the almost-full oxygen cylinder in my garage since the 90's.

 

[IslandLizard]

You might as well use up the gas that is in there.

The CO2 already in the tank doesn't know or care that the tank needs to be recertified. That's a pretty big tank; you might never need to refill it -- kinda like the almost-full oxygen cylinder in my garage since the 90's.

Agreed!

 

[uncleben113]

Oh yeah I'm going use what I have first. I don't have money to be wasting good CO2

 

[BBBF]

Oh yeah I'm going use what I have first. I don't have money to be wasting good CO2

Do you plan on ever making it back up to Chicago at all or are you done with us? If you are ever up here, I know a place that pretty much exchanges 20lb tanks, no questions asked.

 

[uncleben113]

Do you plan on ever making it back up to Chicago at all or are you done with us? If you are ever up here, I know a place that pretty much exchanges 20lb tanks, no questions asked.

I'll be up there in a couple of weeks actually. If I can't find a place to take it here, I'll bring it with me to Chicago. What's the place you're referring to?

 

[Stealthcruiser]

I'll be up there in a couple of weeks actually. If I can't find a place to take it here, I'll bring it with me to Chicago. What's the place you're referring to?

You won't have it empty, in a couple of weeks, unless you have a leak.....

 

[uncleben113]

You won't have it empty, in a couple of weeks, unless you have a leak.....

haha good point. I had a leak in my last system so I don't have a great concept of how long tanks last.

 

[Jim311]

Argon beer would be kinda weird but I don't think it would kill you.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

"Argon Ale"

"Inert Gas IPA"

(Trademarked mind you....)

 

[uncleben113]

"Argon Ale"

"Inert Gas IPA"

(Trademarked mind you....)

A whole line of beers carbed with obscure gases. I could get behind it. Helium Hefeweizen sounds particularly interesting. Hele hefe for short TM

 

[Gonefishing]

Wouldn't Hydrogen also float a balloon?
Another question...does it burn?

Oooops, a tad late with my response!

 

[IslandLizard]

Wouldn't Hydrogen also float a balloon?
Another question...does it burn?

Oooops, a tad late with my response!

Hindenburg...

 

[uncleben113]

Wouldn't Hydrogen also float a balloon?
Another question...does it burn?

Oooops, a tad late with my response!

Yes and yes. Out of the three gases I originally considered after learning the intended purpose of my regulator, I ruled out Hydrogen as a possibility. At this point, I'm almost positive the previous owner used it for CO2. Also, whereas hydrogen is lighter than air, flammable, and non-odorous, it doesn't liquefy at higher pressures so it can't be that. That only leaves me with a couple of options and I'm highly confident it's CO2.