CO2 Food Grade vs Welding Grade

[cmsurfr22]

i heard that CO2 that you get at welding supply stores can have a lubricant in them and that food grade CO2 is better for use with calcium reactors. i'm having a really difficult time finding a place that will swap or refill my co2 tank with food grade co2. does anyone know where to get food grade co2 in south jersey or does everyone just use welding grade co2?

 

[Phyl]

Whoah! My brain hurts just thinking about this.

 

[cmsurfr22]

this is what i found in the following thread on RC: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...id=388333&highlight=CO2+AND+grade+AND+medical

Industrial Grade CO2 like the one used for welding, extinguishers, compressed systems (like paintballs), dry ice is CO2 that is produced, transferred and recompressed using oil lubricated compressors and Yes sometimes lubricant is added like in the case of the one used for the small cartridges used for pellet guns and probably paint ball guns also.

The bulk CO2 that leaves the producing plants is screened so as not to exceed a total specification for Hydrocarbons and will make it suitable for aquariums, unfortunately at the use point (The dealer tank, the extinguisher plant etc) those traces of hydrocarbons get concentrated in the storage tanks as they are the last to gasify when using the CO2. At certain point the concentration is such that they can be pumped out of the storage tank into a cylinder.
Because minute amounts of hydrocarbons are not critical for applications like welding, extinguishers or as carrier (Pellet guns) those storage tanks or cylinders do not get screened very often (If you can not smell it then it is OK kind of test) so like the box of chocolates.....

On the other hand, CO2 for beberage, food packaging, medical for breathing mixes and such has to be fully tested by federal FDA regulations and lot numbers and serial numbers have to be tracked and this lot tests are audited at least once a month by a third party licenced chemist and a report is sent to the FDA. (The storage tank is tested before and after it is get filled and before filling cylinders. Similarly all cylinders have to be tested which whithin other parameters include Carbon Monoxide and Total Hydrocarbons) So if you want to avoid surprises I would recommend you get food, beberage or USP medical grade.

If you are going to get standard grade I would recommend at least that you get it directly from a distribution plant from a manufacturer so you shorten the supply chain reducing the number of times that CO2 has been transfilled reducing then the posibility of contamination. The two largest manufacturers are Praxair and Air Products although regionally BOC and Air Liquide may have some smaller production units.

For those that want to pamper their reefs and have $$$ to spend I would recomend the grade used by research laboratories. Ask for SCFE Grade (Super Critical Fluid Extraction Grade) and please don't say I did not tell you, it was expensive.

So there you are, pick your choice....

By the way if you go to a manufacturer distribution and filling center there are more chances that you can exchange your cylinder which I would recommend. The one you get might not be as beutiful but at least you insure that has been regularly tested, it meets DOT regulations and the valve is safe.

And talking about Safety, just some Important tips:

a) Never accept a cylinder that is cold, if it is, it means the pressure inside has not stabilized and it is still rising.

b) Never accept a cylinder that has not been filled on a scale (By Weight)

c) If at hand, use a pick up truck (Open Back) to transport your cylinder, if you put the cylinder in the trunk of your car never leave it unatended in the sun. If you are going to do several errands, make it picking up the CO2 the last of them so you go directly home.

d) when at home always tie your cylinder to prevent it from falling and always use it in an up-right position. The CO2 inside is in liquid form if tiped or used laying on its side you will be withrawing liquid and you may freeze your regulator which may stop working thus releasing a large amount

e) After connecting the cylinder to your regulator always unescrew the regulator pressure adjusting knob and open the cylinder valve slowly otherwise you will damage your regulator

f) CO2 is not toxic but it is heavier than air so it can concentrate if released, this is specialy critical in a room with poor air circulation. CO2 displace the air so causing asphixia in as little as 30 seconds (Typical of living rooms or bedrooms where we keep our tanks) ventilate the area and walk away for a while until the release has disipated. Do not expect to "see" the CO2, in gas form you will not be able to.

g) Always leave some residual pressure on an empty cylinder, this way you will prevent contaminating the cylinder.

Have a safe and happy reefing....

 

[cmsurfr22]

ok i finally found a food grade co2 distributor. you have to swap your co2 tank but this seems to be a good idea that way you don't ever have to remember to have the tank tested every 5 years.

www.airgas.com

they have a store locator that will help you find the nearest airgas. it is about 20 bucks to swap an empty 5lb tank for a full 5lb tank of food grade co2.

 

[Phyl]

Cool.

Name: Airgas East
Phone: (866) 718-0685
Fax: (732) 752-6445
Address: 490 Stelton Road,
Piscataway, NJ 08855
Facility Type(s): Branch
Fill Plant
Specialty Gas Lab - Regional
Medical Branch
ISO 9000

Have you called them?

 

[Brian]

good luck with that place! I had a really fun time getting my CO2 tank filled there!

 

[Phyl]

Oh THAT's the place. Too funny. Hopefully they're not always that nasty.

 

[cmsurfr22]

i called the place near me in bellmawr and they seemed pretty nice and said that i could swap my tank all i had to do is swing by

 

[Brian]

Hopefully you have a better experience than I did Chris..

The people answering the phones were very nice to me. When I went in to get the tank, it was a totally different story.

Good Luck!

 

[cmsurfr22]

I had no problems getting what i needed, the guy was really nice.