Gas cylinder

Description Since gases have a relatively low density, the volume of gas at atmospheric pressure can be considerably reduced by compressing it into a cylinder under greater pressure. These cylinders must be constructed to withstand the high pressures and meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). When gas volume requirements are small, individual gas cylinders of argon, helium, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, acetylene, FG-2 or blends of these gases can be used directly in the welding or cutting operation. If the consumption rate increases, two or more cylinders can be manifolded together in banks to provide a greater source of supply and to reduce the amount of cylinder handling. A manifold usually has two independent sets of controls to permit alternate or simultaneous operation of the two cylinder banks. Empty cylinders can be replaced with full ones after shutting down one or both cylinder banks.