Can I use a medical oxygen bottle with a bernz-o-matic oxy torch?

[gellfex]

I just came across a small medical O2 bottle with it's regulator, and was wondering if it was safe to hook it up to the hose of a bernz-o-matic oxy torch I've had for years, but never use because the O2 is so freaking expensive. I've rarely used a real oxy-acetelene rig, I used to use this unit for occasional brazing, and would like to be able to do more delicate work than stick or mig spool gun setups I have. Would this need flashback arrestors or any other safety gear? Is it just a poor idea? I don't need this desperately or I would have gotten a proper rig by now.

[+ or - Zero]

I'm not that familiar with the bernz-o-matic oxy torch, although I think I may have owned one a very long time ago.

Anyway, how do you plan to fill/refill the oxy tank? Medical grade oxy being a tad spendy and all.

[dalee100]

Hi,

The small medical O2 bottles I'm used to using wouldn't be able to be used on a torch set of any kind. Do you have a photo of it?

dalee

[gellfex]

The Bernz-o-matic oxy uses a MAPP can and a similar sized can of oxy.

I didn't realize there was a big price difference in filling the tanks, it's still got to be way cheaper that the $9 they charge for that little Bernz-o-matic can with 1.4 Oz in it. I don't suppose I can just get this tank filled with regular O2 and promise not to breath it?

[+ or - Zero]

I thought they no longer sold MAPP gas --anyway I vaguely recall reading something along those lines not to long ago, but I can't remember where.

As to the cost of medical grade oxy --I think that requires a prescription all though I could be wrong. We fill the oxy tank on the plane (small plane but can go above 14,000ft at times) with the same oxy you buy at the welding store.

[dalee100]

Hi,

This is the type of portable medical O2 tank I'm familar with http://www.galls.com/style-RO847-gen...-d-o2-cylinder. And this is a regulator http://www.galls.com/style-RO1059-ge...lator-with-2-d.

Not going to fit a a torch set. And yes, medical O2 is considered a drug and requires a prescription.

dalee

[Evan]

Yes also, medical O2 requires a prescription and is very expensive just because they can get away with it. The regulator on a medical gas bottle probably won't go high enough to supply that torch but I am not certain, yet. Medical O2 is supplied at extremely low pressure and the regulators are rated in litres per minute from 1 to around 10 max. I will be fiddling around with my concentrators maybe tomorrow and I have the same little welding kit so I will be able to say what works.

No, you cannot get that medical tank refilled with welding gas. It is illegal.

[danlb]

I thought they no longer sold MAPP gas --anyway I vaguely recall reading something along those lines not to long ago, but I can't remember where.

As to the cost of medical grade oxy --I think that requires a prescription all though I could be wrong. We fill the oxy tank on the plane (small plane but can go above 14,000ft at times) with the same oxy you buy at the welding store.

I was warned when diving that one should never use gases that are not rated for breathing. A slight contaminant that makes little difference when welding may be fatal when breathed at altitude. I think we've all read stories of getting a tank of "bad gas" when welding. I'd hate to think my pilot has just ingested CO75 or trimix instead of oxygen.


A small tank of oxygen is not that expensive. I picked up a DOT approved 20 or 30 cubic foot tank at HF for less than $40 on sale. The local gas supply exchanged it for a full one for only $20 or so. I don't know if it uses the same fittings. I guess I should check it.

Dan

[Evan]

It is highly unlikely you would get anything in an oxygen tank other than oxygen. It's an oxidizer and must be treated with great care compared to the other common gases besides acetylene. Medical and welding oxygen are produced in the same plant by the same method at the same time.

[danlb]

It is highly unlikely you would get anything in an oxygen tank other than oxygen. It's an oxidizer and must be treated with great care compared to the other common gases besides acetylene. Medical and welding oxygen are produced in the same plant by the same method at the same time.

Why do I get the feeling that Evan would not grab a bottle of bernzomatic brand oxygen and use it for an oxygen supply at altitude?


Dan

[chipmaker4130]

At both of the suppliers in my area, they fill medical and welding bottles from the same supply of liquid and they don't give a rat's ass about a prescription. Your medical insurance company might.

[+ or - Zero]

I was warned when diving that one should never use gases that are not rated for breathing. A slight contaminant that makes little difference when welding may be fatal when breathed at altitude. I think we've all read stories of getting a tank of "bad gas" when welding. I'd hate to think my pilot has just ingested CO75 or trimix instead of oxygen.
Dan

The oxy systems in small airplanes are not "just breath from the tank" like diving gear. They enrich the air that's there already is all --emergency oxy systems in large aircraft are different as they are to supply the entire breathing envelope for at least long enough for the plane to get down below 14,000 --from a cruise altitude of maybe 30,000 or 40,000 ft.

A small plane with oxy tank system usually would be hard pressed to get above 20,000 ft (and that would require some nice turbo system, etc.), so the plane only need descend 6,000 ft or so to be in breathable atmosphere again. That can be done very quickly and still maintain a safe, if extreme, rate of decent --not so much for large aircraft.

Large aircraft are pressurized by forced air intakes such that the cabin pressure is the same as being at 7,000 ft --they do not carry tanks of oxy, except for the emergency systems.

Anyway in the oxy system sense, small aircraft use and water diving are not related at all. --I dive on occasion also, it's a great sport.

[Evan]

Why do I get the feeling that Evan would not grab a bottle of bernzomatic brand oxygen and use it for an oxygen supply at altitude?

I most certainly would. There is no reason to expect it to be anything other than oxygen.

[Evan]

Large aircraft are pressurized by forced air intakes such that the cabin pressure is the same as being at 7,000 ft --they do not carry tanks of oxy, except for the emergency systems.

They generally don't carry tanks at all except for the pilots. Oxygen for the passengers is made from oxygen generators which are cartridges that contain sodium chlorate and an igniter. When ignited the sodium chlorate decomposes slowly and provides large amounts of oxygen for its weight.

[+ or - Zero]

They generally don't carry tanks at all except for the pilots. Oxygen for the passengers is made from oxygen generators which are cartridges that contain sodium chlorate and an igniter. When ignited the sodium chlorate decomposes slowly and provides large amounts of oxygen for its weight.[/COLOR]

Good catch, I was in fact only thinking of the pilots when I wrote that. I knew the passengers had generators not compressed 'air' tanks.