Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Propane tank for air?
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no2tracks
10-22-07, 09:17 PM
Can I plumb in a 100 # propane tank with my compressor to add air volume?
CycleZen
10-23-07, 04:55 AM
Propane is stored and shipped as a liquid, and their containers are built accordingly: they'll take the weight of the liquid and some pressure as the liquid reverts to gas, but not the kinds of pressures that compressors encounter. The tank walls are just too thin.
There's a reason air compressors are heavy: because the tank walls need to be thick enough to contain high pressures.
An alternative for you might be to plumb another air compressor tank into your system (and you could probably find a used compressor with a bad pump for cheap), but I suggest you proceed with caution: find somebody else who has done it, inspect it, and ask for tips- anyone who has done this would be happy to share their ideas with you, I'm sure.
There's a reason air compressors are heavy: because the tank walls need to be thick enough to contain high pressures.
An alternative for you might be to plumb another air compressor tank into your system (and you could probably find a used compressor with a bad pump for cheap), but I suggest you proceed with caution: find somebody else who has done it, inspect it, and ask for tips- anyone who has done this would be happy to share their ideas with you, I'm sure.
GregH
10-23-07, 05:47 AM
If it has threads on it yes it COULD be done but you should not.
A few reasons are that firstly the pressure relief on the tank is not set for air. You do not know that if something went wrong you would be protected.
Second is that there is no valve to purge moisture from the tank. It might not take long for the tank to rust to the point of being unsafe.
If you are considering adding air volume I would suspect that your compressor is not big enough for what you ask of it.
Adding additional air storage will give you a very short burst of extra air but once brought down to compressor tank pressure you will still have a compressor that is too small.
A few reasons are that firstly the pressure relief on the tank is not set for air. You do not know that if something went wrong you would be protected.
Second is that there is no valve to purge moisture from the tank. It might not take long for the tank to rust to the point of being unsafe.
If you are considering adding air volume I would suspect that your compressor is not big enough for what you ask of it.
Adding additional air storage will give you a very short burst of extra air but once brought down to compressor tank pressure you will still have a compressor that is too small.
Pendragon
10-23-07, 09:58 AM
The tank will hold the pressure, that's no question.
The problem lies in that there are no fittings on the bottom, only the top. You would need to take the tank somewhere and have a fitting welded in so you can drain it.
This process involves (usually), filling the tank with water to remove any gas space.
I'd place the tank after the regulator.
I have a 150g tank I've been using for many years, my regulator is set at 100 psi (since that's the most any tool I have needs).
As long as I'm not sandblasting or using a die grinder, I can go a LONG time before the compressor ever comes on (we're talking weeks and more). When it does run, it runs for about 15 minutes.
The problem lies in that there are no fittings on the bottom, only the top. You would need to take the tank somewhere and have a fitting welded in so you can drain it.
This process involves (usually), filling the tank with water to remove any gas space.
I'd place the tank after the regulator.
I have a 150g tank I've been using for many years, my regulator is set at 100 psi (since that's the most any tool I have needs).
As long as I'm not sandblasting or using a die grinder, I can go a LONG time before the compressor ever comes on (we're talking weeks and more). When it does run, it runs for about 15 minutes.
chandler
10-24-07, 06:53 AM
I have also used the "third air tank" off a tractor trailer as a volume enhancer. They aren't that big, but not only add volume, they have a drain plug fitted so it can be drained. Check with truck maintenance shops, you may find one they have replaced, or even get a new one at a reasonable price.