Transporting Argon in Closed Vehicle

[GoK4rtFanatic]

Can anyone tell me how (if it’s possible) you transport an argon cylinder in a vehicle? I recently bought an 80 cf cylinder and would like to bring it to and from a friend’s shop, but do not have a pickup truck or approved van to do so. I’m not really asking “if” it’s okay, I know the gas company wouldn’t want me to but of course people do, I’m just wondering how safe it is/ how to go about it. Thanks.

Edit: Matheson showed me a picture of some totaled cars from gas cylinders so I was wonder how to avoid that.

[Louie1961]

Put a safety cap over the valve, toss it in the back seat, and go.

[vwguy3]

Put a safety cap over the valve, toss it in the back seat, strap it down some way and go.

I fixed it Louie

[Kelvin]

I wouldn't worry so much. The fumes in the empty gasoline tank under your car are probably about 10,000 times more dangerous than an argon bottle. Yet somehow we survive.

[12345678910]

It's not toxic.

If it leaked and it filled the car, you could suffocate.

I seat belt it in, crack two windows.

[Louie1961]

I fixed it Louie

I am convinced that any restraints you put on a bottle in the back seat are going to be useless, so I don't bother strapping it down. If its in the bed of my truck and can fly out of the bed in a collision, then yeah, I strap it pretty tight. I don't bother cracking a window either. YMMV

[bead-boy]

In a head on collision or roll-over you will get smacked in the back of the head with an 80cf bottle. I worry the most about transporting gas cans for the mowers in the trunk my car. A severe rear end collision would smoosh them flat and I would be swimming in a gasoline fireball. I nervously check the mirrors until I get home.

[Louie1961]

Fair point, but I don't think wrapping a seat belt around the bottle will really help. It will just squirt right out of that belt. In an average car I really don't think there's a good way of securing a bottle. So like your gas can analogy, I just drive more carefully...or I load it in my truck.

[smithdoor]

Argon is safer than oxygen or propane
I would roll the window down for any gas and or gasoline.
I do not store any type of gas or gasoline in my garage. They are in a well ventilated building.

Dave

Can anyone tell me how (if it’s possible) you transport an argon cylinder in a vehicle? I recently bought an 80 cf cylinder and would like to bring it to and from a friend’s shop, but do not have a pickup truck or approved van to do so. I’m not really asking “if” it’s okay, I know the gas company wouldn’t want me to but of course people do, I’m just wondering how safe it is/ how to go about it. Thanks.

Edit: Matheson showed me a picture of some totaled cars from gas cylinders so I was wonder how to avoid that.

[Meltedmetal]

One could always build a frame to hold the cylinder securely that could also be securely held by the seat belts. I built a frame to hold my gas cans so they can't tip over and they can be strapped to the frame(my only vehicle is an SUV). Not perfect but better than nothing. I would also leave windows open. It's not a problem until you transport a cylinder that leaks.

[smithdoor]

FYI point the value towards the driver.
If have a traffic accident the cylinder goes away from the driver.

Dave

Can anyone tell me how (if it’s possible) you transport an argon cylinder in a vehicle? I recently bought an 80 cf cylinder and would like to bring it to and from a friend’s shop, but do not have a pickup truck or approved van to do so. I’m not really asking “if” it’s okay, I know the gas company wouldn’t want me to but of course people do, I’m just wondering how safe it is/ how to go about it. Thanks.

Edit: Matheson showed me a picture of some totaled cars from gas cylinders so I was wonder how to avoid that.

[M J D]

An 80 cf cylinder is pretty small. I would just lay it on the floor in front of rear seats.

[jpump5]

It's not toxic.

If it leaked and it filled the car, you could suffocate.

I seat belt it in, crack two windows.

^^^this

Safety cap on.
Windows open slightly.
Restraining bottle not a bad idea.
Horror pics I’ve seen at gas supplier were the result of acetylene
bottle that leaked in closed vehicle and gas ignited.

[Jack Ryan]

Here is what a supplier has to say. There is a section on transport.

https://www.boc-gas.com.au/en/images...m351-82369.pdf

Jack

[davec]

An 80 cf cylinder is pretty small. I would just lay it on the floor in front of rear seats.

That's what I always did with my older Accord and my 120cf bottles. Now I put them lying flat in the bed of my truck wedged against a cross bar so they do roll around, but I have no decent way to truly strap them in. Short of building some sort of carrier frame that cold be strapped in but seems like way overkill. The gas supplier is just up the country road from me about 5 miles, so not real far. Sure there is always a risk something could happen, but it is pretty low in this case, IMO.

You are overthinking this... If you get in an accident there is always the projectile risk from anything in the car. Tools or a jack in the backseat of your PU? That will do it too. But if you really aren't comfortable doing it, have them delivered.

[shovelon]

Food for thought. There is 20 times more argon in the atmosphere than Co2. And you are breathing it.

Just keep your windows down or cracked when driving.

[TexasT]

Edit: Matheson showed me a picture of some totaled cars from gas cylinders so I was wonder how to avoid that.

x2 on the acetylene cylinder accident photos. Not to say these weren't real or didn't happen, but if it was a regular occurrence, something would be done to stop it. More for shock value imo.

You are(or might be) transporting a pretty small cylinder of inert gas. And while it might be high pressure you will have a cap on it(you will leave the cap on for transport won't you?) to transport and store it. It is more of a danger as a projectile if you were involved in an accident with the vehicle. Laying it low on the floor and driving safely would be what I would do.

I wouldn't over think it. Those cylinders are banged around and fall over all the time at the lws and on a truck if not properly strapped. This is why they have a cap and you need to have it on the cylinder when not in use and during transport. both the suppliers I worked for used as sop that if they were falling or going down, you let the fall and get out of the way as they seemed to have more injuries from trying to "save" them from falling over.

Glad you were able to locate and acquire the cylinder. Here is to you getting on with the actual welding!

[Lis2323]

I've never transported in a car as I've always had a pickup.

But be certain to secure it so it doesn't come through the cab at you or fly out of the box.




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[Lis2323]

x2 on the acetylene cylinder accident photos. Not to say these weren't real or didn't happen, but if it was a regular occurrence, something would be done to stop it. More for shock value imo.

You are(or might be) transporting a pretty small cylinder of inert gas. And while it might be high pressure you will have a cap on it(you will leave the cap on for transport won't you?) to transport and store it. It is more of a danger as a projectile if you were involved in an accident with the vehicle. Laying it low on the floor and driving safely would be what I would do.

I wouldn't over think it. Those cylinders are banged around and fall over all the time at the lws and on a truck if not properly strapped. This is why they have a cap and you need to have it on the cylinder when not in use and during transport. both the suppliers I worked for used as sop that if they were falling or going down, you let the fall and get out of the way as they seemed to have more injuries from trying to "save" them from falling over.

Glad you were able to locate and acquire the cylinder. Here is to you getting on with the actual welding!

Agreed. You are more likely to injure or be injured by the "projectile" aspect.


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[danielplace]

Shut the valve off tight and the only real risk is the weight of it in a sudden stop. Stand it up in the rear passenger floorboard or other arraignment that will not be likely to hit you in a sudden stop/accident and go do your business.

[GoK4rtFanatic]

Thanks for all the feedback, I’ll be taking it to a friend’s shop hopefully this Friday so we can both get some beginner practice for tig. Wish me luck. I will definitely be travelled by with the cap on.