View Full Version : Cylinder accidently completely emptied. Problem?
Max Speed
January 8th, 2012, 04:05 AM
One of the folks at my office just accidently opened the valve on one of my cylinders in the storage room, panicked and let it empty itself. My daughter heard the noise and went to investigate and found the room "full of fog" with the perp standing next to the cylinder and still talking on her cell phone. Presumably the "fog" was condensation caused by expanding gas dropping the temperature.
Can this cause moisture issues in the tank or can I just have it filled?
I arrived about half an hour later and closed the valve. (The initial call to me said the valve "blew off"!)
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ScubaCapers
January 8th, 2012, 07:06 AM
I wouldn't stress It happens, I personally would just have it refilled. Regards
herman
January 8th, 2012, 07:59 AM
I would not worry about it. The "never let a tank get empty" is one of those half truths that divers worry too much about. The problem with letting a tank get empty is when you leave it empty AND leave the valve open for an extended time. Over time the tank will breath as it warms and cools allowing possibly moist air in and condensation may occur. If the valve is closed in a short time after it empties, moist air can't get in so there is no condensation problem.
jar546
January 8th, 2012, 08:10 AM
Just get a vis for the lousy $10 for some peace of mind
Jax
January 8th, 2012, 08:14 AM
Look at it this way - Partial Pressure fillers crack the valve and empty the tank. A few minutes won't hurt anything.
On the other hand, how close are you to needing a vis? As jar said, piece of mind is a few bucks.
cascas
January 8th, 2012, 08:49 AM
Fully emptying your tank while submerged isn't the best idea (for obviuous and other reasons :) ). Topside it is not a problem.
Doc Harry
January 8th, 2012, 10:54 AM
Is is an aluminum or steel cylinder? Is the storage room inside or outside (heated or not)?
If it was my cylinder?
Steel cylinder + outside = get it checked for internal condensation and rust
Anything else = keep the valve closed, refill it ASAP
awap
January 8th, 2012, 12:28 PM
Look at it this way - Partial Pressure fillers crack the valve and empty the tank. A few minutes won't hurt anything.
On the other hand, how close are you to needing a vis? As jar said, piece of mind is a few bucks.
Just get a vis for the lousy $10 for some peace of mind
Or you can save the $10 (maybe), pull the valve off and take a peek. Do you see any water? If so, come back and we can talk about how to dry it out.
The problem is that some shops may insist on charging you for another vis if you bring in and empty tank. There are ways to get a little pressure into the tank but that is another discussion.
Doc Harry
January 8th, 2012, 12:48 PM
the problem is that some shops may insist on charging you for another vis if you bring in and empty tank. There are ways to get a little pressure into the tank but that is another discussion.
:d
sneaky!
jar546
January 8th, 2012, 01:10 PM
The amount of time the valve is left open and the temperature in which the tank is and or was moved into is also relevant. Condensation can occur inside. I had the same thing happen and felt more comfortable telling the shop and agreeing to a vis on my steel tank.
Max Speed
January 8th, 2012, 04:36 PM
OK. It wasn't open that long. I'll take a peek inside and likely just have it filled and not worry about it. It's due for a visual in March so even if I miss something I doubt it'll be catastrophic. Maybe I'll give it a bit of a fill to avoid questions using a bucket brigade of spare air fills... ;-)
