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Post by Cwi555 on Jul 6, 2012 7:35:22 GMT -7
www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/Article/3051858/Latest-News/BP-probes-blast-at-Colorado-gas-compressor-plant.htmlBetween the lines..They were performing what is known as a 'hydro'. Fill whatever the pressure device (pipe, vessel, whatever) to test. Many moons ago, this was done via water for safety, today it is most often performed with air because its cheaper. Picture a balloon filled with 30psi water, and one with 30psi air. Poke a pin into the balloon with water, it will just spew water out of the hole. Poke the one with air and it will explode. Those of you who maintain compressed air, please remember the maintenance on those tanks, the periodic inspections, and remember not to attempt over pressuring them.
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Post by wtrfwlr on Jul 6, 2012 8:45:39 GMT -7
Excellent reminder cwi. Something that is so easily overlooked or forgotten about since these compressors namely are mostly trouble free. Having worked with these machines as a mainstay component of my livelyhood most of my life I became diligent about their care but if it is just an occasional use thing in a workshop or garage as a hobby thing it is easy to forget about them. One thing that is kind of a pain until you make it a habit is draining the water out of the tank. And this needs to be done EVERYDAY that it is used. This will help stop the inside of the tank from forming rust.
All of my compressors I fitted with a simple ball valve so that I or the employees could easily open the valve and completely drain the tank at the end of each day. Most all compressors have the drain in the most inconvenient place, right on the bottom where you can hardly get to it without laying on the ground. Even then it is usually a really cinchy petcock valve and is a pain to open and close and usually strips out before long. Just take a bit of time and a couple bucks and change that out to something that can be serviced easily. It is well worth every cent.
Another bad mistake that a friend of mine who was a shop manager at a race fab shop he replumbed the air system in the shop and for cost he used PVC pipe. Bad Bad idea! PVC will degrade and is not rated for those pressures. These pipes can burst without warning and send shards of needle sharp plastic pipe in all directions. And besides all that it will scare the crap out you! Trust me here. Do not be tempted to plumb compressed air with PVC.
A couple other points, be sure and change the oil in the compressor. It does not get nasty looking like in a car engine but it still breaks down and loses it's lubricating ability. The other is to clean and/or replace the air filter, Very important because they do get clogged with all sorts of dust and it makes a huge difference in the temps of the compressor plus they have to run much longer to turn off because they are constricted in the intake of air.
Sorry cwi if I wandered away too far off your topic, you just got me thinking about this.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 8:48:34 GMT -7
Thats what scares me about the big upright compressor in my basement...I want my barn done so bad!! Shoot...even the little ones spook me...right along with airing up tires, I just know they are gonna blow up in my face!
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Post by wtrfwlr on Jul 6, 2012 8:55:32 GMT -7
Thats what scares me about the big upright compressor in my basement...I want my barn done so bad!! Shoot...even the little ones spook me...right along with airing up tires, I just know they are gonna blow up in my face! Little ones are just as dangerous as big ones. They are very very safe machines and go through all sorts of checks and double checks and are made to withstand pressures way beyond the rated use pressure but they still need to be taken care of. You don't need to be afraid of them but you do need to have a healthy respect for what they are and what they can do if not handled properly. Just think of them in the same way you would a firearm. Guns are not dangerous unless they are mishandled or misused  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 9:05:40 GMT -7
Thats fine...but the upright is not mine...its Jiom & Stevens. ITs here until either my barn is up or their new shed is done...the smaller ones are mine...a pull around 20 gallon and a pancake 5 gallon...but all I know about tehm is what was on the little one page paper that came with them that says basically nothing! I guess I will have to find a way to teach myself, because the guys think they are self explanitory.  I disagree. |
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Post by wtrfwlr on Jul 6, 2012 9:20:24 GMT -7
I'll be more than happy to answer any and all questions you might have! Just ask away or give me a call.
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Post by missasip on Jul 6, 2012 10:28:58 GMT -7
Thats fine...but the upright is not mine...its Jiom & Stevens. ITs here until either my barn is up or their new shed is done...the smaller ones are mine...a pull around 20 gallon and a pancake 5 gallon...but all I know about tehm is what was on the little one page paper that came with them that says basically nothing! I guess I will have to find a way to teach myself, because the guys think they are self explanitory. I disagree. Just don't put too many pounds of pressure in your small one. It'll make it easier to carry too....    Jimmy |
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Post by geron on Jul 6, 2012 10:50:45 GMT -7
Yeah! I upped my pancake to 120 psi and simply couldn't carry it.  I need to check my big'un in the shop. Thanks for the reminder. |
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Post by wy21lmb on Aug 14, 2012 20:52:00 GMT -7
I have been reading back threads, so just came upon this one. The refinery where I worked mostly relied on hydro-tests, but we occasionally did an air test. Hated them. Pass you skin over a pin hole leak, even at 10 psig or less, and you can be cut badly.
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Post by woodyz on Aug 14, 2012 21:11:55 GMT -7
That is a good reminder and reminds me of a good story.
My Grandfather used to use an old refrigerator compressor to pump up tractor tires, but it is really slow so he would hook it up and go into lunch while it filled the tire. This time the tire was off the tractor and he laid it out flat on the ground with the compressor in it.
Of course my Grand Mothers lunch was so good and he ate too much and took a little nap.
As soon as the tire exploded he knew what it was, but it wasn't until the compressor came back to earth through the kitchen roof he realized how high it went.
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