Oxygen tank hazard

[rrman61]

Is it just grease or any petroleum products that dont mix/is dangerous around oxygen tanks?I keep any kind of oil or grease away from mine but Im curious about the subject and just really want to know whats what.

 

[dr sportster]

I have experimented with that. I could never get grease to burn no matter how much oxygen I blasted it with.

 

[rrman61]

We were told by the RR that grease around oxygen could cause an explosion,Im sure someone on here can clarify

 

[Jim.ME]

Blowing oxygen on grease out in the open isn't the issue. Combining the two under pressure is. Oil or grease in or on a fitting, connecting it, then turning the oxygen on will likely lead to an explosion. Oxygen being blown on something out in the open likely won't cause an explosion, but it will definitely accelerate combustion, like cutting off greasy spring pins with a torch.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Any sort of petroleum product can combust in the presence of compressed oxygen.

I remember a local mechanic who used the high-pressure gauge off of his torch's O2 regulator to check the pressure a tractor's hydraulics was putting out. Yep, it blew the next time he used the torch. He didn't sustain any serious injuries, a good example why darwinism is less than 100 percent effective at cleaning up the gene pool. In a totally unrelated incident, his son lost a finger trying to tension the fan belt on a tractor while it was running.

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

Lots of combustible materials become explosive when exposed to pure oxygen. Without all the nitrogen we have in air to interfere with combustion, it can occur much more rapidly. If you also have confinement, you can get an explosion.

 

[jimg.allentown]

In a past life I spent 4 years in a manufacturing facility that made high pressure equipment. Compressors up to 30,000 psi, valves up to 200,000 psi, pumps up to 150,000 psi and the like.

We were commissioned to build several sets of compressors for the U.S. Navy for a diving mission. The compressors were for refilling diving tanks. One for oxygen, the other for helium. Since there was the possibility of error, both compressors had to be built to standards for oxygen service.

I was instructed in the properties of oxygen under pressure, and was required to perform oxygen cleaning in a clean room environment. The compressors were of the diaphragm type to isolate oils from the process being pumped.

What I learned was that oxygen under pressure accelerates combustion. Oxygen under pressure can initiate combustion with some materials. Steel will burn with an open flame in the presence of pure oxygen. However, the explosion bit is mostly not true. Petroleum products will spontaneously ignite in the presence of pure oxygen. They will not explode unless confined. Petroleum residue in a gauge for example will burn through the metal (usually brass) but will only explode if confined.

Special materials are used for oxygen service. Compressor parts that come in contact with oxygen under pressure are usually made of a material known as Monel metal. This is an alloy somewhat similar to stainless steel, but it is more of a nickel and copper alloy. Oils used in oxygen service are halogen based oils.

Contrary to commonly held beliefs, oxygen does not burn nor is it explosive. Oxygen supports combustion. Explosions only occur when fuel and oxygen are confined.

 

[Phil-mar Farms]

I saw a MIG welder hose wrecked with oxygen. The operator blew out the wire tube with the oxygen from the torch. The residual oil from the wire caused a fire. The fire didnt do the hose any good

 

[Steve@Advance]

Oxygen and oil work like a diesel engine, the concentrated oxygen can combine with oil or grease and cause a violent explosion!

But just like a diesel engine, it requires compression to start the process.

Oxygen and oil in the open is still risky, but it needs to be concentrated under pressure to cause the reaction. Think grease on the threads of a regulator where the unregulated pressure of the tank can hit it with sudden force.

That's why you should purge the fitting by cracking the valve, and be sure the end of the regulator is clean and oil free.

When I change out an oxygen bottle, the first time the valve is opened, I will put on a welding glove and turn my head away.

There is also an issue with aluminum regulators, mostly found on medical equipment. The aluminum can actually burn once the reaction is started.

This is long and repetitive, but some interesting stuff!
Oxygen Explosions

 

[Phil-mar Farms]

The misconception that oxygen is explosive is spread by TV script writers

 

[rrman61]

Thanks guys you probably saved someone on here at very least an unpleasant experience.now we know

 

[Janicholson]

Oxidation is so common that (at least on the surface crust of the earth) the periodic table of elements is massively oxidized. Gold and a few other elements are resistant to it, but most others readily oxidize. I will call it "rust" here. Rust is either slow or fast. Acetylene starts on fire at 305 degrees C in air. Even less when mixed with pure Oxygen.
The rate of oxidation of elements depends radically on the heat produced, and the rate of heat removed. Small particles, like grinding dust piled up, or a steel wool pad, are flammable in air. Grease and petroleum oil have ignition temperature in air substantially higher, diesel fuel in atomized form needs more than 900 degrees to ignite. So the issue involving grease and oil around oxygen equipment is compressed oxygen.
Rubber/synthetic hoses are used on welding equipment all the time. Oxygen pressure in the area of 100psi on industrial lances is common. Jim

 

[okierob]

Navy training film when I was in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9sIT6P_05I

 

[jimg.allentown]

The first example I see in that video is NOT an explosion. It is rapid combustion, but since it is NOT contained, it is no more than a big torch. Yes, it is a big flare-up, but it is just that - a flare up.

Among the metals that will burn, aluminum, titanium, and magnesium are among the most combustible. Iron is also combustible to a much lesser degree.

What is your definition of an explosion? As I understand it, an explosion is a very rapid expansion of gases that causes a shock wave. In order for that to happen, it generally requires containment.

 

[504]

I can tell you that you can have an explosion without flame, and you can have 3rd degree burns without a flame too. Lots of people have failed to find the cause of our oxygen fill plant explosion 20 years ago. Two men were in the hospital for a long time,the dust looked like a smoke bomb went off, but there was no fire. WE still have the remains of a tank that went through a tank,scary stuff. Be careful with high pressure gases and keep oil away from oxygen. Ruffley 2200 psi in the high pressure tanks,and we stock nitrogen as high as 6000 psi.

 

[37 chief]

I wonder why I pay a hazard material fee on my oxygen bottle. Stan

 

[VicS]

I have blown out many small fires with my
cutting torch. Like fires my sparks
started.

 

[Super H Mike]

My high school industrial arts teacher put the fear in us 40 years ago that you never put oil or grease on the regulator threads, and always point the regulator away from you .