Re: Freon bottles air pressure ???

May 19, 2020 Last reply: 6 years ago 9 Replies


About ten years ago I wanted to make one of these air tanks out of a


> freon jug. I bought a kit with a valve, hose and safety valve in it . My
> dad had worked on air conditioners for 20some years, so I went and asked
> him for an empty tank. He told me that about ten years before he was
> asked by the company he worked for(a large chemical company that also
> made freon) to try to find them some old freon tanks so they could test
> them. He rounded up several and he was told to take them to the
> company's safety research lab. He took them to the lab and while he was
> there he asked why they wanted them. The man over the lab told him that a
> person had made an air tank from one of their old freon jugs and went to
> a gas station to fill the tank. He was holding the tank between his legs
> when it split apart. He lived but without some of his vital parts, anyway
> he decided to file a lawsuit against this company because the tank blew
> up. I cant tell you to use your tank because there are thousands out
> there that are ok, But I went out and bought a new portable air tank.
> Jim Hubbard

I have a 50 lb R-22 tank that I've been using as my portable air tank for OVER 30 YEARS!! It's always been kept in the house which may have helped. I suppose though, I should go looking for a fresh one. T'care, Mike

Interesting coincidence there ... looks like it was 30 years ago that Jim Hubbard bought a new portable air tank instead of converting a Freon tank. It also would be interesting to know the percentages on bursting of Freon tanks vs official air tanks; if the numbers are at all similar, the big differences might be (1) your initial cost for the tank, and (2) how much damages your estate can recover from the manufacturer.

At 30C R22 is about 160psi Freon tanks have a "blowout disc" that ruptures at something approaching 600PSI. A freon tank is likely safer than a lot of cheap "air pigs" designed to operate at 120PSI . painting the interior to protect against moisture MIGHT be a good idea (on the air pig too - -

- )

How would a 20 lb propane cylinder compare? It's getting hard to have them requalified in my area....

Thanks for reading,

bob prohaska

Definitely a lot more sturdy than the freon tank. I'm using one. I unscrew the valve and use pipe thread fittings.When I pull the valve I clean it out with hot water and amonia to get rid of the mercapitan stink.

That's a deodorizing trick I didn't know about. Thank you!

bob prohaska

I have been using a 30 lb tank mounted upside down to get the fitting on the bottom. A 3/4" nipple and Tee fitting with the drain and infeed check valve to the side branch while the outlet is a pipefitted through the bottom and up into the centre area fo the tank. safety valve and controls aer on the output. In this way I avoided the need for additional bosses to be welded to the tank. I also have a similar settup with regulator/filter on the input when I want lower, regulated pressure. I don't know how I ever got along before I blew a whole three bucks on an old Gardner/Denver single cylinder @ cfm compressor! Of course it cost another dollar for a 1/2HP motor to run it and about $70.00 for controls and safety valve etc.

I don't understand this centralized delivery pipe. Seems to me you'd want to draw all output from the bottom, to drain off condensate. Am I missing something?

How long ago?

8-)

Thanks for writing! ps, turns out my tanks don't expire for another year. Time to plan....

I use bleach to deodorize - works very well. That mercaptan smell is VERY persistent.

Gotta be around 15 years ago now!

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required