Try getting a consensus on issues related to lifting liquid cylinders up into overhead work areas. Good luck. As few manufacturers of cryogenic liquid cylinders as there are, the only consistent answer I could get is “Do Not Lift by the Handling Ring.” And- this is extremely important. There are many cases where lifting devices were attached to handling rings and the cylinders lifted up with bad consequences. Clearly, everyone I talked with agreed that handling rings are not a lifting point.
Beyond that, I was curious on the various manufacturers’ position related to using the eyes in the handling ring support posts for lifting filled vessels and made calls to all. Responses varied and the reasons became obvious pretty quickly. Some of the original manufacturers either no longer exist at all or have been acquired by others. This is important as there are still liquid cylinders that are in use since the 1970s and the differences is designs for liquid oxygen, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide cylinders are subtle, but meaningful. Almost all include holes in the handling ring support eyes that are used as catch points for cylinder handling carts. These carts have a hook which slips into the hole and grabs it so the liquid cylinder can be tilted back in the cart and rolled. This is a widely agreed method for moving liquid cylinders as long at the user has a cart designed for the purpose and is using it in the proper method.
The real question comes up when it is necessary to get a liquid cylinder up to a 5th floor work area at a site under construction or demolition. Without going into the variety of responses related to engineering of supports for lifting and potentially proper devices I’ll take a different tack.
- Do you know where that liquid cylinder was last month, last year, last decade?
- Do you have a document in front of you clearly stating that the lifting support stanchion holes for the exact model of vessel you have are intended for lifting full liquid cylinders overhead including instructions on the proper method and device?
- Do you have an inspection report certifying the current condition of the welds and metal?
- If not- Why risk it?
The picture attached shows a common condition of cryogenic liquid cylinders received by West Cryogenics for repair. Note the bent supports and associated stress to the head. Corrosion of outer vessels is also frequent. All of these change the game from original design and might not ever be discernable after a good rehab job. The safer approach for lifting would be to use an approved lifting cradle, freight elevator or other device rather than a direct connection to the vessel. Personally, I’d rather have the excitement of seeing my wife and kids and watching “House” or “Top Chef” than dealing with the aftermath of a liquid cylinder that tore loose from its lifting hook 40 or 50 feet in the air.
Beyond that, I was curious on the various manufacturers’ position related to using the eyes in the handling ring support posts for lifting filled vessels and made calls to all. Responses varied and the reasons became obvious pretty quickly. Some of the original manufacturers either no longer exist at all or have been acquired by others. This is important as there are still liquid cylinders that are in use since the 1970s and the differences is designs for liquid oxygen, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide cylinders are subtle, but meaningful. Almost all include holes in the handling ring support eyes that are used as catch points for cylinder handling carts. These carts have a hook which slips into the hole and grabs it so the liquid cylinder can be tilted back in the cart and rolled. This is a widely agreed method for moving liquid cylinders as long at the user has a cart designed for the purpose and is using it in the proper method.
The real question comes up when it is necessary to get a liquid cylinder up to a 5th floor work area at a site under construction or demolition. Without going into the variety of responses related to engineering of supports for lifting and potentially proper devices I’ll take a different tack.
- Do you know where that liquid cylinder was last month, last year, last decade?
- Do you have a document in front of you clearly stating that the lifting support stanchion holes for the exact model of vessel you have are intended for lifting full liquid cylinders overhead including instructions on the proper method and device?
- Do you have an inspection report certifying the current condition of the welds and metal?
- If not- Why risk it?
The picture attached shows a common condition of cryogenic liquid cylinders received by West Cryogenics for repair. Note the bent supports and associated stress to the head. Corrosion of outer vessels is also frequent. All of these change the game from original design and might not ever be discernable after a good rehab job. The safer approach for lifting would be to use an approved lifting cradle, freight elevator or other device rather than a direct connection to the vessel. Personally, I’d rather have the excitement of seeing my wife and kids and watching “House” or “Top Chef” than dealing with the aftermath of a liquid cylinder that tore loose from its lifting hook 40 or 50 feet in the air.
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