Gas Cylinder

Step 1: Locate your gas cylinder from the gas cylinder cage and transport to the lab with the use of a gas cylinder cart.

Step 2: Make sure the cylinder is properly secured to the cart before transporting.

Step 3: Secure the cylinder in the lab, to the wall or bench with a gas cylinder clamp. Important: 1 metal chain for 1 gas cylinder. Do not secure multiple gas cylinders with 1 chain. Have a minimum distance of 1.5 m between two incompatible gases such as H2 and Air.

Step 4: Undo the cap and screw on the appropriate regulator for the gas.

Step 5: Use a proper regulator wrench to tighten the regulator. Do not over tighten and do not use adjustable wrench. Do not use Teflon tape on the cylinder connections.

Step 6: Check that the flow control valve is closed.

Step 7: Turn the pressure adjusting screw on the regulator counterclockwise until it turns freely.

Step 8: Slowly open the cylinder valve. One full turn is usually sufficient.

Step 9: Check the gas cylinder pressure gauge. A full cylinder has approx. 2200 psi except for acetylene, carbon dioxide or special gas mixtures.

Step 10: Turn the pressure adjusting screw clockwise until the required pressure is reached (gauge further from the gas cylinder valve).

Step 11: Check for gas leaks by using Snoop(TM) on all the threaded connections including the cylinder valve.

Step 12: If all is correct, control the gas flow by the flow control valve on the regulator. Do not use the pressure adjusting screw for flow control.

Step 13: For shut down: shut the cylinder valve, allow residual gases in valve and lines to drain.

Step 14: When gauges fall to zero, turn the pressure adjusting screw counter-clockwise until it runs freely and close the flow control valve.

Step 15: When moving the gas cylinder always remove the regulator, replace the cap, and then move cylinder using a gas cylinder cart.