Old co2 extinguishers and mixed gas tanks

[Fal]

I've access to some full co2 fire extinguishers and large half full mixed gas pub tanks (they are going to be thrown in the skip at work) and trying to decide if I should keep them for when I get my keg setup sorted or bin them!

Here's my reasons/questions:

Fire extinguishers - what is their value to me (not financially) as potential future co2 containers if I release the gas and clean or as currently "good to go" full co2 containers in need of only a gas reg and dial instead of handle?

Mixed gas - two of the tanks are in bad shape with rust. The third looks clean but I understand mixed gas is only really good for pouring not force carbing and a co2 regulator won't work on it (I think!) So unless I'm planning on a donkey load of stout it's not really much use either or could I use it for something else?

Anyone any thoughts?

[aweisse]

The c02 fire extinguishers just need the bottle tap changed and they would be a easy size to move around.

The mix gas tanks are made for higher pressures and it no problem to change the bottle tap on that as the c02 is at a way lower pressure and fill with c02, thats what i did.
The new bottle tap is about €20.

[Fal]

By bottle tap, do you mean the main tap on the large tanks?

So the co2 in the fire extinguishers is unusable. I can only use them as co2 containers?

[cruiscinlan]

Fire extinguishers - what is their value to me (not financially) as potential future co2 containers if I release the gas and clean or as currently "good to go" full co2 containers in need of only a gas reg and dial instead of handle?

I believe fire extinguishers have a dip tube in them that has to be removed as it allows only the liquid gas at the bottom to be expelled.  Or you can put it upside down.  To avoid all that I think the guys in AJ Edge will swap them out for you.  Also the CO2 in it may be industrial instead of food grade.

Mixed gas - two of the tanks are in bad shape with rust. The third looks clean but I understand mixed gas is only really good for pouring not force carbing and a co2 regulator won't work on it (I think!) So unless I'm planning on a donkey load of stout it's not really much use either or could I use it for something else?

Anyone any thoughts?

How bad is the rust and are the tanks 'in test'? They will have a label on them stating when they are due to be re-tested.  Are they 50:50 Nitrogen/CO2 or other mix i.e. stout gas [75:25 Nitrogen/CO2]?

Are the mixed gas tanks marked with a brewerys' name on them?  If so the only way to get them refilled is to swap an empty for a full one with someone who has a stock of bottles.

A mixed gas regulator has a male fitting to female on the mixed gas bottle and the reg is rated to higher pressure i.e. 300 bar.  You've just missed out on a tiny group buy I arranged for mixed gas regs but all the info is in the Group Buy section.  You're talking 70-80 euro delivered from UK for one with output gauge.

Where are you based?  Myself and others would be interested in the tanks if they're being thrown out.

[Fal]

To be honest I'd say the no2 mix tanks are out of test. They're sure mix Guinness tanks. I'll see if I can get a photo of them.

As for the extinguishers, the cost of me traveling to Dublin aj edge wound buy me a new tank! I've got two of them so i'll have a search around locally for co2 supplier and decide what I'll do.

Is CO2 not the same regardless if it's welding, food or industrial? I thought it was the container that was industrial or food safe?

[Leann ull]

Is CO2 not the same regardless if it's welding, food or industrial? I thought it was the container that was industrial or food safe?

No

[cruiscinlan]

To be honest I'd say the no2 mix tanks are out of test. They're sure mix Guinness tanks. I'll see if I can get a photo of them.

There should be a mark around the collar with a test date on them and other information including the mix proportion.  If they're branded tanks then I'm sure they would be of use to members here to try and arrange swaps for them for new mixed gas, whether they're in test or not doesn't matter they can be swapped for new ones.

As for the extinguishers, the cost of me traveling to Dublin aj edge wound buy me a new tank! I've got two of them so i'll have a search around locally for co2 supplier and decide what I'll do.

Are you sure about that?  Average cost for a new 10L CO2 tank is €140 plus fill cost if you get one on a rent free basis.  AJ Edge is the main one I know of who will re-fit the extinguishers for homebrewers.  There's also Munster CO2 I think although others may have more information.

Is CO2 not the same regardless if it's welding, food or industrial? I thought it was the container that was industrial or food safe?

There's different permitted levels of hydrocarbons (soot) etc. in food grade CO2 vs industrial.  For the sake of illustration industrial might be 99.999% CO2 and food grade 99.9999% CO2 

[Fal]

Here's some photos of the tanks and any remaining labels and you can see the condition they are in. I've no problem passing them onto someone, although I'm not sure about transporting them!

As for the Co2, I'll have to do a bit more research, from reading previous messages I had it in my head that a tank of gas was around the €50/€60 range not the €140 range. But thanks for the advise on the fire extinguishers.

[aweisse]

By bottle tap, do you mean the main tap on the large tanks?

So the co2 in the fire extinguishers is unusable. I can only use them as co2 containers?

Yes the main tap on the tank.

[cruiscinlan]

Here's some photos of the tanks and any remaining labels and you can see the condition they are in. I've no problem passing them onto someone, although I'm not sure about transporting them!

To be honest the condition of the tanks looks grand to me, rust and paint flaking off is common enough on them in use.  As they're knocked about and kept in manky pub cellars for years its fairly standard.

In fact with the tank you have that the paint is gone off you can see that filling label and barcode etc. has all been added when it was already in that condition.

Where are you based?  With those tanks you could even get them filled/swapped out by a BOC/Sureserve dealer if you could open an account with them.

[Fal]

Where are you based?

I'm based in Mayo and will try and get in contact with BOC about getting a swap or fill.

I'm going to keep one of the extinguishers and two of the big tanks (a mate has as me to keep one for him) but I'm on my way to Galway for a flying visit this Friday night and heading back home again Saturday around 11:00. If someone wants one of the big tanks or one of the fire extinguishers I can bring one with me in the back of my van...if your sure the big ones are safe to transport!

...and just double checking welding Co2 is not suitable? a local engineering company said they're happy to sell or refill co2?

[Leann ull]

...and just double checking welding Co2 is not suitable? a local engineering company said they're happy to sell or refill co2?

its still Not, full explanation if you join NHC otherwise executive summary

[Fal]

Cheers. I knew the answer really but was hoping I was wrong.

Offer still stands for the other tanks free to anyone in Galway this Friday or Sat morning.

[cruiscinlan]

...and just double checking welding Co2 is not suitable? a local engineering company said they're happy to sell or refill co2?

Basically industrial CO2 could be 99.9% CO2.and food grade would be 99.999% CO2 and have less hydrocarbons i.e soot in it.

Talk to your local engineering company that fill CO2 as they will have data sheets describing the properties of their gas.

Are any of the mixed gas tanks full? My folks are in Galway and I'd be interested.

Feel free to send me a PM about regulators etc. if you want further info.

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Depends upon where the co2 is sourced, the big breweries produce more co2 than they can use themselves and sell the balance off to companies like BOC. At the beginning of the fermentation some fob can be carried over with the gas. The option is to dump this gas or sell it off as industrial gas suitable for inflating life rafts, fire extinguishing welding etc. This gas may have a flavour taint which would make it unsuitable for use with food but fine for beer. So again it depends upon where the gas is sourced.