How Much Are Oxygen Tanks Worth For Welding
If you don’t know, let me give you a little introduction to it, oxygen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas but it is sightly heavier than air. It is typically nonflammable, but it does support combustion with other elements. Oxygen is also one of the most common elements. When it comes to welding oxygen, tanks are used the most.
Therefore, you should know all about oxygen tanks, how they work and what are they worth for welding. In this article here, I will be telling you all about oxygen tanks, their basics, and welding. So, let’s get right it!
What you should know about oxygen used for welding.
Before going all in with the article, lets start with the basics first, like what you should know about oxygen used for welding. Oxygen used in cylinders are measured in cubic feet and they come in 3 different sizes, which consist of 80, 122 and 244. These oxygen tanks are then pressurized to 2,220 psi (pounds per square inch).
The fittings of cylinders that are used for oxygen are usually right-handed so that they can be easily tightened clockwise. Apart from this, every cylinder has a safety device attached to it that helps, release pressure in high temperatures that might cause a dangerous condition otherwise.
Production of bottled-up oxygen
Bottled up oxygen also known as oxygen in cylinders, this bottled-up oxygen is obtained by two different but commercial methods that are known as
- Liquid air process
In this process, the air is cooled and compressed to a point where the gases start to become liquid. When the temperature of the liquid rises, nitrogen in the gas form is given off, since its boiling point is lower than the liquid oxygen. These gases, now separated, are then purified and compressed into cylinders for use. This liquid air process is by far the most used process to make oxygen all around the world.
- Electrolyte process
This is the second process that is used around the globe to make bottled up oxygen, this is a little more complex than the last process, which is why liquid air process is used more. In this process, water gets broken down into hydrogen and oxygen, through the help of a passage of an electric current. Then the hydrogen gets collected at the negative terminal while the oxygen gets collected at the positive terminal, after that each of the gas is then collected and then compressed to store into cylinders for further use.
Welding basics
In this segment here, I will be telling you a few welding basics that you need to know before purchasing your oxygen tank for welding purposes. So that you don’t have to be confused at any given point. All these basics will help you through your welding work and will help you in taking better care of your oxygen cylinder. So, let’s get right into it.
Reverse flow danger
Reverse flow basically occurs when the bottled-up oxygen cylinder is near empty and at the same time another gas, like acetylene is not, which makes the fuel gas e.g., acetylene flow into the oxygen hose and regulator causing a reverse flow.
In this case, an explosion can occur at any given moment. To avoid this issue, never use an oxygen tank that is almost empty, and to make sure your cylinder isn’t empty, check to see if your cylinder is more than 50 psi.
Backfire & flashback danger
a backfire occurs when the torch flame burns back into the torch tip and is extinguished with an extremely loud sound that is like a popping sound. This backfire can cause because of the tip of the torch touching the work, or if there is not enough gas pressure. Note that frequent backfires can cause damage to the welding torch.
Now, lets talk about the flashback, a flashback happens when the flame in front does not extinguish but it burns back beyond the mixing chamber through the hoses and into the regulator along with the gas supply. If a flashback occurs, know that the size of the explosion would be equal to 20 sticks of dynamite.
Too avoid flashbacks, make sure your cylinders internal check valve is working properly. Flashback arrestors will help stop flashbacks from happening. But in case, a flashback des happen, what you can do is to immediately turn off your supply of oxygen, and then allow all the units to cool.
What is an oxygen tank/cylinder?
An oxygen tank is a cylinder that is made up of steel, and it has the capacity of 220 cu ft at a pressure of 2000 psi, along with a temperature of 70F (21’C).
An oxygen tank consists of attached equipment’s that include an outlet valve, a removeable metal cap for the protection of the valve, a low melting point safety fuse plug and a disk. The oxygen cylinder is fabricated from a single plate of high-end steel so that it can achieve outmost strength when working.
Oxygen tanks are usually used for jobs like welding, diving etc. oxygen cylinder go through extensive testing’s before going out in the market to avoid any kind of mishap or accident.
How much are oxygen tanks worth for welding?
Oxygen is less expensive than acetylene, which is why you don’t have to spend a lot on buying an oxygen tank for welding, you can get a very decent and reasonable oxygen tank for about 20$ if you want to fill it to approximately 240 cubic feet. If you have any oversized tanks that you want to fill/ refill than you can get that done around 35$ not more than that.
If you want more options and suggestions than I have listed below some empty oxygen cylinder prices so that you can get a clear view of it all.
- 20 cu/ft type “R” empty oxygen tank CGA 540 = 115.99$
- 40 cu/ft empty oxygen tank CGA 540 = 180.99$
- 80 cu/ft empty oxygen tank CGA 540 = 230.99$
- 125 cu/ft empty oxygen tank CGA 540 = 295.99$
FAQS Related to Oxygen Tanks Worth For Welding
I have compiled a bunch of questions related to oxygen tank and welding and I have also answered them in the easiest way possible for you guys, so that you guys can have it all in one article. Below I will be answering some of the most asked questions about oxygen tanks so let’s get going already!
- What are the different welding oxygen tank sizes?
Oxygens tanks are made in several sizes, that range from 20 cu/ft to more than 300 cu/ft. while oxygen tanks are mostly 244 cu/ft tanks that are almost 5 feet tall, if you include the cap too.
- Do welding oxygen tanks expire?
No, oxygen tanks do not expire, but although they do not expire, but it is still wise for you to not use an oxygen tank for more than 10 years, if you are using your tank more regularly or more frequently, then you should not use them for more than 5-6 years. Once your tank expires, it will stop holding oxygen, or more accurately, lose its ability to hold oxygen.
- What is a welding oxygen regulator?
One of the most important and fragile part of gas welding is the gas regulator. A gas regulator helps control the flow of gas for welding and cutting.
A welding oxygen regulator on the other hand takes the pressurized flow and converts it into a moderate flow so that it can appropriately deliver pressure. Every regulator has a specific inlet connection according to the type of gas it regulates.
- Are oxygen tanks expensive to refill?
No, oxygen tanks are not too expensive to refill, I have explained in detail in how much you can get your oxygen tanks refilled, that too in various sizes, so scroll up to find out.
- Where do they get oxygen from?
Commercial oxygen is made from liquid air in large batches. In a temperature of about -297F, the air turns liquid and then that liquid is compressed and passed along a expansion engine with the help of a piston.
- How many hours does an oxygen tank last?
An average oxygen tank can last up to 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the capacity of your tank.
- Can oxygen tanks explode?
Yes, oxygen tanks can explode under specific circumstances.
- Is it legal to buy your own oxygen tank?
Yes, it is legal to buy your own oxygen tank for work purposes, like welding etc.
Final Thoughts
Now that we have reached the end of the article, I hope by know you know all about the oxygen tanks, how they work and how much worth they are for welding, if you have any other questions or if you are still confused at any part, feel free to scroll up and give this article another read. Good luck!
