A few weeks ago we discussed some of the potential hazards and risks associated with lifting liquid cylinders to elevated locations along with ways not to lift them. It is agreed among all manufacturers that the handling ring around the top of a liquid cylinder is not to be used as a lifting point. While some instruction manuals show cryogenic liquid cylinders being lifted by the holes in the handling ring support brackets this is not a universally recommended practice. This is especially true regarding full cylinders being lifted overhead. The risk of lifting any liquid argon, oxygen or nitrogen vgls by the support brackets are that:
a) It is unlikely if you know the specific cylinder you are lifting is one with supports designed for lifting;
b) The liquid cylinder supports could have been weakened over time by being bent and straightened or through metal fatigue or corrosion.
In any case- the support brackets can tear away from the vessel allowing it to drop. A liquid cylinder full of product that is dropped from an overhead location is a clear hazard.
So- What are the options?
1) Consider running feed lines up from your vessel to the work area first and keeping all liquid containers at ground level;
2) If the distance from the ground to a work area is prohibitively long then use a safe carrier to raise the vessel to the area needed.
A photograph of an enclosed carrier for lifting liquid cylinders is shown. These can also be fitted with lifting eyes on all four corners for 4-point lifting. Be sure that whatever you use that the device is regularly inspected for damage or corrosion and that any lifting cables are in-spec for the intended purpose.
a) It is unlikely if you know the specific cylinder you are lifting is one with supports designed for lifting;
b) The liquid cylinder supports could have been weakened over time by being bent and straightened or through metal fatigue or corrosion.
In any case- the support brackets can tear away from the vessel allowing it to drop. A liquid cylinder full of product that is dropped from an overhead location is a clear hazard.
So- What are the options?
1) Consider running feed lines up from your vessel to the work area first and keeping all liquid containers at ground level;
2) If the distance from the ground to a work area is prohibitively long then use a safe carrier to raise the vessel to the area needed.
A photograph of an enclosed carrier for lifting liquid cylinders is shown. These can also be fitted with lifting eyes on all four corners for 4-point lifting. Be sure that whatever you use that the device is regularly inspected for damage or corrosion and that any lifting cables are in-spec for the intended purpose.
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