Airgas Specialty Gas Cylinder Dimensions

Main Document:

• Specialty Gas Cylinder Dimensions

Appendix Section:

• Specialty Gas Cylinder Size Comparison
• Cylinder Identification

Appendix: Specialty Gas Cylinder Size Comparison Chart

Additional Supply Modes -

Bulk Specialty Gases and Chemicals

Many Airgas specialty gases and chemicals can be supplied in bulk quantity. Products available in bulk quantity are identified throughout the catalog by the symbols shown below:

Tank trucks are used for over-the-road transportation of cryogenic liquids. Liquid product is then transfilled to cryogenic storage tanks at customer locations

Tube trailers (T.T.) provide over-the-road shipment of high-pressure gases, gaseous chemicals, and gas mixtures. The trailers serve as on-site storage systems at customer locations.

Cryogenic Liquid Cylinders

Cryogenic liquids such as nitrogen and helium are supplied in dewars (low-pressure cryogenic tanks) for larger requirements near customers’ point of use.

MicroBulk

As your need for higher gas volumes increases, time lost to changing out cylinders and gas lost to venting liquid dewars can take a bigger bite out of your bottom line. Airgas MicroBulk delivery is the perfect way to get the cost efficiencies of bulk deliveries, but in smaller volumes. Airgas’ integrated MicroBulk delivery system eliminates the hassles and extra expense of cylinders and liquid dewars and provides a safer work environment.

If you are considering large-volume supply, a representative from Airgas can discuss your requirements and the economics of alternate supply systems.

Appendix: Cylinder Indentification

Packaging and Color

Airgas uses a teal paint to identify specialty gas cylinders. Here are the highlights of our cylinder packaging:

• A cylinder neck ring is permanently fixed below the base of the valve. Airgas does not use color coding to identify cylinder contents. Cylinder color should never be used to identify contents. Please read the contents label.
• A shoulder label indicates the product’s shipping name and identification number. On pure products, a grade label is also applied to the cylinder shoulder. The shoulder label identifies cylinder contents.

Markings

Airgas specialty gas cylinders are stamped with markings designed to indicate ownership, specifications, pressure ratings, and other important data. Airgas also utilizes a bar code label for product identification and tracking.

1. Cylinder Specification:
   • DOT—Department of Transportation (previously ICC – Interstate Commerce Commission), which is the regulatory body that governs the use of cylinders.
   • Specification of the cylinder type of material of construction (e.g., 3AA).
   • Service or working pressurein pounds per square inch (e.g., 2,265 psig).
2. Cylinder Serial Number
3. Date of Manufacture:
• This date (month-year) also indicates the original hydrostatic test.
4. Neck Ring Identification:
• The cylinder neck ring displays the name of the original owner of the cylinder.
5. Retest Markings:
• The format for a retest marking is: Month – Facility – Year – Plus Rating – Star Stamp.
• The + symbol (Plus Rating) indicates that the cylinder qualifies for 10% overfill.
• The symbol (Star Stamp) indicates that the cylinder meets the requirements for 10-year retest, instead of a 5-year retest.
6. Bar Code Label:
• The bar code label provides a unique cylinder identifier and is used by computer systems to track cylinders throughout the fill process. As an optional service, we have the capability of tracking cylinders to and from customers.
7. Cylinder Manufacturer’s Inspection Marking
8. Cylinder Tare (Empty) Weight:
   • This value may be preceded by the letters TW.

D.O.T. Classifications

Specialty Gas Cylinder Dimensions Source: Airgas, Inc. (www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/CylDimension.pdf)