Summary of gas cylinders

Respirator used carbon fiber composite cylinders is a type of new material gas cylinders developed recently. Compared with other steel cylinders, its features are light-weight, long-time usage, corrosion-resistant, safe and long lifetime. If used in self-sufficient positive pressure air respirators, it can greatly reduce self-weight of equipment. Therefore, it can directly save users` stamina in practice. Especially in firefighting, it can improve efficiency of fireman.

Carbon fiber composited cylinders are mode by twining high strength fiber such as carbon fiber and glass fiber around aluminum inner tank. The major winding layer is fine carbon fiber and outer winding layer is several layers of S2 glass fibers, in order to strengthen anti- impact and abrasion resistance properties.

Usage and maintenance of carbon fiber composited cylinders

1.Usage of carbon fiber composited cylinders

Usage of carbon fiber composited cylinders is almost the same as that of traditional ones, surface of traditional cylinders is harder than that of composited ones.

Composited cylinders should avoid collide with sharp objects during use, also should avoid rub against coarse hard surface (cement ground).

Carbon fiber composited cylinders must be periodically inspected the same as other high-pressure steel cylinders. For daily used carbon fiber composited cylinders, the pressure should be checked carefully before use, the pressure should be more than 28Mpa. They should be inspected according to periodic inspection procedures after use. The stand-by ones should be inspected according to Periodic Inspection Procedures at least once a month. The Periodic Inspection Procedures are as follows:

1)Visually inspect whether surface has pits, cuts or other mechanical damages. Inspect cylinder surface has damages caused by Exposure to heat or flame, such as Surface discoloration and charred handwriting.

2)Inspect the latest inspection date of gas cylinders, in order to ensure whether the cylinders is within the effective date, if current data exceeds effective date, gas cylinders should be go out of service immediately, it can go to service only if the inspection results are qualified. According to regulation specified in carbon fiber composited cylinders Europe standard HSE-AL-FW2, hydrostatic pressure test and expansion deformation test. According to domestic regulations, comprehensive inspection should be performed on air respirators every three years, containing hydrostatic pressure test and expansion deformation test.

3)Air inflation of carbon fiber composited cylinders
Cylinder pressure is inspected, if it needs to refill gas, inspection follows the following procedures:

•Visually inspect whether surface has pits, cuts or other mechanical damages. Inspect cylinder surface has damages caused by Exposure to heat or flame, such as Surface discoloration and charred handwriting.

•Inspect the latest inspection date of gas cylinders, in order to ensure whether the cylinders is within the effective date, if current data exceeds effective date, gas cylinders should be go out of service immediately, it can be refilled only if the inspection results are qualified.

•Gas cylinders are put into aeration tank, it is forbidden to aerate gas cylinders in water channel. Charging connector is connected to cylinder valves and then tightened. Cylinder valves are opened and the charging valve is opened slowly to fill gas cylinders until the pressure reaches working pressure. After air inflation is finished, charge valve is closed, and aeration tank door is opened, cylinder valves are closed, discharge valve is opened for pressure release, charging connector is removed, gas cylinders is taken out from aeration tank.

Attentions for carbon fiber composited cylinders usage
•Do not add too much pressure to gas cylinders and then cool to nominal working pressure.

•Gas filled into gas cylinders must be clean, dry air. Wet air will corrode inner tank.

•Gas cylinders can only pack clean, dry air, it is forbidden to pack any other gas or liquid.

•After use, carbon fiber composited cylinders should remain a certain pressure, or fill gas timely, in order to avoid toxic gas or wet gas entering gas cylinders. If wet gas enters gas cylinders, gas cylinders should be blown by dry air and then aerated.

•Cylinder surface should be cleaned by wet gauze every time after use.

•Carbon fiber composited cylinders should be stored in dry and ventilate room, it is forbidden to be stored outside. It is forbidden to be stored with other hazardous chemicals.