Discussion:
CO2 tank in hot car
(too old to reply)
Bart Goddard
2011-09-22 14:13:32 UTC
Permalink
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.

Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
--
Cheerfully resisting change since 1959.
Ecnerwal
2011-09-22 14:36:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.
Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
Could be enough to get interesting with a full fill, I guess - the graph
seems to imply that if not overfilled, 120F would be fine:

Loading Image...

Couple of ice packs and a blanket? If a small tank, a cooler that it
will fit in would beat the blanket, but a blanket would help with a tank
that won't fit in a cooler.
--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by
Please don't feed the trolls. Killfile and ignore them so they will go away.
rgb
2011-09-22 15:37:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.
Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
I really have no idea, but the above scenario makes me nervous!
Personally I'd be uncomfortable with the whole thing.

Probably it's OK: these things do get trucked around and I'm sure they
get exposed to considerable heat. But hopefully someone who knows what
they're talking about can chime in.

One thing: If you do this, make sure the tank stays upright.

But seriously, if no one has any solid advice here, I'd attempt to talk
to someone who would know (maybe someone at a local beverage shop or
even a fire extinguisher shop: those guys handle CO2 all the time and
they'd know the safety issues).
Scott
2011-09-22 23:47:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by rgb
But seriously, if no one has any solid advice here, I'd attempt to talk
to someone who would know (maybe someone at a local beverage shop or
even a fire extinguisher shop: those guys handle CO2 all the time and
they'd know the safety issues).
Give the guys at the fill shop a call and ask them...they should know
for sure...
Tom Biasi
2011-09-22 18:15:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.
Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
Any temperature above 120 F. (2000 psi) will likely blow the safety
valve.
CGA (compressed gas association) recommends not to exceed 120F.

Tom
Rick B
2011-09-22 23:49:23 UTC
Permalink
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car before
trying to drive away!
Post by Bart Goddard
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.
Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
Any temperature above 120 F. (2000 psi) will likely blow the safety
valve.
CGA (compressed gas association) recommends not to exceed 120F.

Tom
Tom Biasi
2011-09-23 00:45:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car before
trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.

Tom
Bart Goddard
2011-09-23 01:01:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car
before trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.
Good point. Anyone know how to rig up a mini-cam in a Chevy?
--
Cheerfully resisting change since 1959.
Tom Biasi
2011-09-23 03:31:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car
before trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.
Good point. Anyone know how to rig up a mini-cam in a Chevy?
Yes, I know how to rig such a mini-cam but do really want to watch her
hit a tree?

Tom
John Bleichert
2011-09-23 13:36:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car before
trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.
Tom
And possibly fill up the car with CO2 in a very big hurry. That could
be dangerous.
--
-------------------------------------------
John Bleichert ***@earthlink.net
The heat from below can burn your eyes out!
rgb
2011-09-26 17:30:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by John Bleichert
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car before
trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.
Tom
And possibly fill up the car with CO2 in a very big hurry. That could
be dangerous.
Yes - it would be very dangerous. I suspect it would knock one
unconscious in very short order. I live close to a wine region, and
periodically wine makers die because they get a big whiff of CO2 from
the fermenters and it knocks them out: they either collapse in the tank
or somewhere that is saturated with CO2 and asphyxiate.

CO2 is much more dangerous than you might expect.
Tom Biasi
2011-09-26 20:12:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by rgb
Post by John Bleichert
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car before
trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.
Tom
And possibly fill up the car with CO2 in a very big hurry. That could
be dangerous.
Yes - it would be very dangerous. I suspect it would knock one
unconscious in very short order. I live close to a wine region, and
periodically wine makers die because they get a big whiff of CO2 from
the fermenters and it knocks them out: they either collapse in the tank
or somewhere that is saturated with CO2 and asphyxiate.
CO2 is much more dangerous than you might expect.
I got a breath full one time and it burned my throat and lungs
something terrible. Fortunately I took my head from the source and was
able to breathe clean air after one breath. It was not a pleasant
experience. I will never stick my head in a fermenting vat again.

Tom
Bob F
2011-09-26 20:27:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by rgb
Post by John Bleichert
On Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:49:23 -0700, "Rick B"
Post by Rick B
If the safety valve does blow, make sure you fully ventilate your car before
trying to drive away!
Good advice, if it blows while she is driving it will most likely
scare the hell out of her.
Tom
And possibly fill up the car with CO2 in a very big hurry. That
could be dangerous.
Yes - it would be very dangerous. I suspect it would knock one
unconscious in very short order. I live close to a wine region, and
periodically wine makers die because they get a big whiff of CO2 from
the fermenters and it knocks them out: they either collapse in the
tank or somewhere that is saturated with CO2 and asphyxiate.
CO2 is much more dangerous than you might expect.
I got a breath full one time and it burned my throat and lungs
something terrible. Fortunately I took my head from the source and was
able to breathe clean air after one breath. It was not a pleasant
experience. I will never stick my head in a fermenting vat again.
I got that same feeling once bending over a chest freezer I was using as a
fermenter holder. I tried lowering a lit match into the freezer. It immediately
went out.
Tom Biasi
2011-09-26 21:18:31 UTC
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Steve B
2011-09-26 21:39:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
Tom
She'd either be dead from asphyxiation, dead from the pursuant car crash, or
just some bad experience from passing out while driving and ensuing
consequences.

Steve
Bob F
2011-09-26 22:17:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve B
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in
a real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she
was in it.
Tom
She'd either be dead from asphyxiation, dead from the pursuant car
crash, or just some bad experience from passing out while driving and
ensuing consequences.
It would seem that driving with the window open would prevent most of that.
Tom Biasi
2011-09-27 01:32:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bob F
Post by Steve B
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in
a real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she
was in it.
Tom
She'd either be dead from asphyxiation, dead from the pursuant car
crash, or just some bad experience from passing out while driving and
ensuing consequences.
It would seem that driving with the window open would prevent most of that.
Maybe.
Doug Freyburger
2011-09-27 14:59:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bob F
Post by Steve B
She'd either be dead from asphyxiation, dead from the pursuant car
crash, or just some bad experience from passing out while driving and
ensuing consequences.
It would seem that driving with the window open would prevent most of that.
Assuming no traffic stops. Not a good plan. It's why welding company
trucks have open backs and why larger shipments use closed box trucks
that have special ventilation that is not near the cab.

Bart Goddard
2011-09-27 02:02:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
No worries. I've arranged to have my mother-in-law
pick up the cylinder.
--
Cheerfully resisting change since 1959.
Tom Biasi
2011-09-27 02:18:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
No worries. I've arranged to have my mother-in-law
pick up the cylinder.
You are bad Bart! :-)
Bart Goddard
2011-09-27 05:34:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
No worries. I've arranged to have my mother-in-law
pick up the cylinder.
You are bad Bart! :-)
You only say that because you've never met Endora.
--
Cheerfully resisting change since 1959.
Scott
2011-09-27 10:36:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Bart Goddard
No worries. I've arranged to have my mother-in-law
pick up the cylinder.
You are bad Bart! :-)
You only say that because you've never met Endora.
I'm old enough to catch that reference ;)
Tom Biasi
2011-09-27 12:54:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
No worries. I've arranged to have my mother-in-law
pick up the cylinder.
You are bad Bart! :-)
You only say that because you've never met Endora.
Just be careful she doesn't turn you into a toad.
Scott
2011-09-27 02:20:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
Post by Tom Biasi
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
No worries. I've arranged to have my mother-in-law
pick up the cylinder.
Good call. ;)
Tony V
2011-09-27 13:03:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
Post by Bob F
I got that same feeling once bending over a chest freezer I was using as a
fermenter holder. I tried lowering a lit match into the freezer. It immediately
went out.
Nasty wasn't it? Imagine if you couldn't get to fresh air.
In the context of the original discussion, the OP's wife could be in a
real bad situation if the full tank vented into the car while she was
in it.
It is not subtle. When the blow out plug lets go, you will know it. See
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-493253.html

Tony
Steve B
2011-09-26 21:37:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by rgb
Yes - it would be very dangerous. I suspect it would knock one
unconscious in very short order. I live close to a wine region, and
periodically wine makers die because they get a big whiff of CO2 from
the fermenters and it knocks them out: they either collapse in the tank
or somewhere that is saturated with CO2 and asphyxiate.
CO2 is much more dangerous than you might expect.
CO2 is heavy and collects in vats. Confined spaces are particularly
dangerous. Some people have the money to make a vineyard, but not the
training or common sense to safely operate same.

Steve
Scott
2011-09-22 23:46:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bart Goddard
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.
Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
Maybe she could put it in the trunk...no windows to let the sun in.
Probably no better if your car happens to be black or a very dark color...
John Bleichert
2011-09-23 13:37:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Scott
Post by Bart Goddard
My wife is going to pick up my CO2 tank at the place
where I left it for inspection and refill. Then she'll
have to leave the tank in her car for the afternoon.
The car will be sitting in the hot Texas sun (which is
bigger than anyone else's sun) for several hours. I don't
suppose the internal temp of the car will top 140 degrees.
Does anyone know if this will be dangerous?
Maybe she could put it in the trunk...no windows to let the sun in.
Probably no better if your car happens to be black or a very dark color...
Probably have to lay it on its side to put it in the trunk? This may
not be a good idea either...
--
-------------------------------------------
John Bleichert ***@earthlink.net
The heat from below can burn your eyes out!
Tom Biasi
2011-09-23 20:07:05 UTC
Permalink
On Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:37:18 -0500, John Bleichert
Post by John Bleichert
Probably have to lay it on its side to put it in the trunk? This may
not be a good idea either...
The tanks can be placed on their side with no problems but should not
be put in service that way.

Tom
John Bleichert
2011-09-24 17:26:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Biasi
On Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:37:18 -0500, John Bleichert
Post by John Bleichert
Probably have to lay it on its side to put it in the trunk? This may
not be a good idea either...
The tanks can be placed on their side with no problems but should not
be put in service that way.
Tom
Ah, ok. Makes sense, I guess.
--
-------------------------------------------
John Bleichert ***@earthlink.net
The heat from below can burn your eyes out!
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