Filling of CO2Cylinders

Catalina Cylinders recommends
that trained personnel fill CO₂ cylinders. CGA pamphlets G-6; Carbon
Dioxide and G-6.3;  Carbon Dioxide Cylinder Filling and Handling
Procedures and 49CFR 173.304; Charging of Cylinders with  Liquefied
Compressed Gas be referenced, or included in, the training process and the  following
items be incorporated into any CO₂ cylinder filling procedure.

1. Perform a quick external inspection  of the cylinder and
   valve as noted in Catalina Cylinders’ technical support document, CO₂
   Cylinder Inspection at the Time of Each Fill.
2. Never fill a damaged cylinder, a cylinder  with a damaged
   valve, or a cylinder with a valve safety relief device that appears to be
   altered.
3. Never fill or “top off” a partially filled CO₂ cylinder.
4. Position the cylinder to be  emptied of its remaining contents.
   If the cylinder is not equipped with a dip tube the cylinder 
   should be inverted. Rotate the cylinder so the valve port is facing away from
   all personnel and equipment.
5. After moving or positioning the  cylinder for emptying,
   allow a few minutes for any residual CO₂ charge to settle before
   emptying the cylinder. Slowly open the valve, emptying any remaining charge 
   and other contents (i.e. moisture, contamination, corrosion, etc.) from the
   cylinder. Close the valve.
6. If any content other than the CO₂ charge, including any unusual
   odor, is discharged from the cylinder when emptying  the cylinder,
   the cylinder should not be filled and should be subjected to further inspection
   and followed by internal cleaning.
7. Place the cylinder on a calibrated scale.  The scale should
   be able to measure the weight of the cylinder to 3 significant 
   digits (i.e. XX.X lbs. or X.XX lbs. depending on the size of the cylinder).
8. Secure the connection (filling) hose to the valve.
9. Record the weight of the connected empty cylinder to 3 significant digits.
10. Add this weight  to the maximum allowable CO₂ charge weight (capacity)
    for this cylinder. Many cylinders are marked with thisCO₂ on the
    crown of the cylinder. This will be  the target fill weight, cylinlder wieght
    when fully charged,at the end of the fill.
11. Open the valve slowly and fill the cylinder slow  enough
    to accurately monitor the scale as to not exceed the target fill weight.
12. Stop the fill by closing the cylinder valve  when the cylinder
    on the scale has reached the target fill weight.
13. With the hose still connected, verify  the final weight
    is the same as the target fill weight.
14. If the cylinder has been overfilled, discharge the overfill immediately
    – do not wait.

Never overfill a CO₂ cylinder. Never fill a CO₂ cylinder
with a charge greater than the target fill weight marked on the crown of the cylinder.
Overfilling a CO₂ cylinder, even by a slight amount, can cause the
safety release device to actuate and discharge CO₂ unexpectedly. Unexpected
discharge of CO₂ gas through the safety relief device has been known
to cause accidents, sometimes leading to personnel injury or property damage.

Posted in: Carbon Dioxide