Why can the oxygen cylinder not be contaminated with grease

Why can the oxygen bottle, especially the bottle mouth, not be contaminated or exposed to oils and fats?

This problem is not entirely well known to management personnel engaged in operations and storage. Fats and oils, especially those containing unsaturated fatty acids, are easily vaporized and exothermic. Oil yarn head and tarpaulin can be spontaneously ignited due to oxidation in the air. The heat does not dissipate and spontaneous combustion occurs when the auto-ignition point is reached. The oil vaporizes slowly in the air, and the generated heat is quickly dissipated. It is generally not easy to collect heat and spontaneously ignite. Since pure oxygen is extremely oxidizing, it can promote the flammable combustion. The oils and fats encountered pure oxygen and their gasification rate was greatly accelerated, while releasing a large amount of heat. The rapid rise in temperature quickly causes combustion. If the mouth of the oxygen bottle is stained with grease, when the oxygen is rapidly ejected, the grease quickly undergoes an oxidation reaction, and the heat generated by the friction between the high-pressure air stream and the bottle mouth further accelerates the oxidation reaction and contaminates the oil on the oxygen bottle or the pressure reducing valve. It will cause combustion and even explosions. This is why oxygen cylinders, especially bottle nozzles and accessories that come into contact with oxygen, must not be contaminated with grease.

So, what precautions should we take to protect oxygen cylinders from contaminating grease during storage, transportation, and use?

1. The oxygen tank and the warehouse where oxygen is stored should have signs of non-oil grease to remind people to note that except oxygen cylinders are not allowed to touch grease, accessories that come in contact with oxygen (such as pressure reducing valves, welding torches, gas hoses, etc.) , can not touch the grease.

2. The warehouses and transport vehicles that store oxygen cylinders are strictly prohibited from storing and transporting same with oil and fat items. If the warehouse and vehicles are contaminated with oil, they must be completely removed before they can be stored or shipped.

Third, oxygen cylinders must be worn during storage and transportation to prevent the ingress of oil or dust or mechanical damage to the oxygen cylinder mouth.

Fourth, use, storage and transportation operations and management staff shall not wear oxygen-stained work clothes, gloves, etc., to contact the oxygen cylinder and its accessories.

5. If the cylinder is once stained with oils and fats, it should be wiped clean with carbon tetrachloride or detergent, but it must not be wiped with flammable organic solvents.

China Labor Insurance Network