Supply Modes: Cylinders
You Name It - We’ve Got It
Getting the Supply Mode Right
The most suitable supply mode is determined by a number of factors, in particular the properties of the gas and your volume requirements.
For cylinder supplies, gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen and helium can be readily compressed into a cylinder at pressures of up to 450 bar (6000 psi) as standard. These cylinders are constructed from materials capable of withstanding these pressures. Traditionally these cylinders have been made from high-strength steel or aluminum, but modern composite materials, such as those used in our innovative, lightweight GENIE® cylinders, are now also available.
Many fuel gases are supplied in liquid form at room temperature. They are stored at lower pressures in thin-walled steel or composite aluminum cylinders. Because of its properties, acetylene is an exception and needs to be stored in a cylinder containing a ‘porous mass’, within which the gas is held in a carrier solvent. Therefore, these cylinders are heavier and need careful manual handling.
Cylinder Sizes
Cylinders come in a range of sizes which are normally defined as the water capacity of the package, scaling from mini cylinders of 1l or less typically used to supply specialty gases to 50l+ to support high-volume applications such as welding. The most suitable size for you will depend on a range of factors, including consumption and flow rate.
Regulator Safety
All cylinders are fitted with shut-off valves to ensure proper and safe storage of the gas in the cylinder and controlled release of that gas when it is needed. Various valve designs, functionalities and models are available to suit individual gas and pressure requirements. A regulator is typically attached to this shut-off valve in order to reduce the pressure and safely withdraw the gas. The outlet thread of a valve is regulated by national and international standards to ensure that only regulators that comply with safety standards can be fitted.
Integrated Cylinder Packages
For ease of handling and greater safety, we also offer integrated packages combining a cylinder with a valve, guard and regulator. These range in size from our MOBI™ ready-to-go package for low-volume gas users to our innovative EVOS™ family integrating valves, guards and - in some cases - also regulators to make life even easier. A whole range of built-in features offers gas users an enhanced experience by raising performance, ergonomics and safety standards.
For applications requiring higher capacities than those offered by single cylinders, we also supply bundles, where multiple cylinders are connected together and palletized. Customized supply solutions include small transportable liquid tanks.