Stainless Air Tanks

[RoadsideGeo]

Has anyone used those 5 gal coke syrup tanks for compressed air? (google Cornelius Keg)

I figure with rust being a real problem, stainless steel would be a good direction. Just having a small pump, if 2 or 3 were used together it should be safe for quite some time.

 

[ss55]

Is there an ASME pressure vessel label on the tanks? There should be a maximum pressure rating stamped on that label.

 

[RoadsideGeo]

They are/were used commercially (McDonalds, BK) so I would have to think so.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I used them for years as adhesive pots for a packaging machine.

The adhesive was corrosive, so the stainless tank was ideal. The removable top made for easy filling and cleaning.

Never had a problem.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

Wikipedia says the max pressure is 130. Not really much.

It was an interesting read as I had previously thought the stainless canisters held syrup like the bags at McDonalds do, but Wikipedia says they contain mixed product ready to dispense. Guess that is why I see the carbon dioxide truck filling the tank at McDonalds from time to time but never at the local convenience stores - whole different process.

 

[dbrase]

There is a pressure relief valve in the cover, so unless it has been tampered with, the valve should protect it from over pressure.

 

[Handsome Devil]

Pressure is a strange item. What is pressurized make a big difference. Steam has different characteristics than Air. I presume liquids are the same. Similar but different. I have a lot of respect for pressure and it is what makes a grenade go boom. You all can experiment and state why it is safe to use non air compressor tanks for dual purpose. And most of you will be ok with no accidental blow ups. My self in my old age would not do so unless it was an emergency situation like Macgyver would find himself in. Trust me I am not a safety Nazi, but it is how I look at pressure and pressure vessels. HP has little to do with it. 120 psi out of a 2 hp compressor is the same as 120 psi out of a 20 hp compressor. Volume may make a difference as how big the boom or damage.

Had a neighbor who farmed a little and had grown up poor and very resourceful kind of guy. He was a risk taker and knew how to make something out of nothing. He built a small compressor out of a heating/cooling pump and a small tank off of something. It worked well for pumping tires and very small jobs. It cost him nothing to put together. In his case he did not have two safeties and only used a pressure switch. The pump ran real slow and steady and worked for intended uses. Someone, kids or him left it running and forgot about it. He had a couple steers, 4 horses and 3 young boys. By the grace of God none were in the barn when the tank let go. It flattened the old stanchions in the barn and knocked over heavy wooden stalls. It looked like a bomb had gone off because one did. In this case it was carelessness and unsafe design. I mention this not for those reasons but for the damage done by a tank that exploded and that is all. I feel you need to have a lot of respect for pressure. Use tanks not designed for compressor use like he did or suggested by others is your choice. Remember if it blows it was your choice that caused it, not rust or any other material malfunction.

My old 1940 Champion 5 HP has the original tank. I have not ultra sounded my tank. So there you have it, I am not a safety Nazi. Regards, John.

Regards, john.

 

[rew1953]

What ever you use, make sure it has a working pressure relief safety valve set to relieve at slightly above your operating pressure. This is an ASME requirement for all pressure vessels that operate above atmospheric pressure for good reason. Appropriate, tamper proof, direct connection pressure relief is a life safety issue that can result in serious penalties if not followed.