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Expansion Tanks as a Pressure Vessel?

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:40 pm
by jsefcik
at work everytime i go into the maintainence closet i keep looking at these water expansion tanks and say to myself that would make one hell of an air tank, it already has a schrader valve built in and other said has 3/4 pipe threads i dont see why it wouldnt work


ideas??? thoughts???

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 5:54 am
by jrrdw
Look for pressure ratings and safe operating temperature ranges.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:02 am
by jsefcik
i just looked at the safe temps and said they are perfectly fine up to boiling water temps around 110-210 and pressures up to 120 psi,

personaly i dont see why you couldnt go higher, its pretty much a propane tank, so you should be able to pump alot of air in there

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:24 am
by jrrdw
As always, safety is upon the user.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:57 am
by Gippeto
1) Expansion tanks have a bladder in them.

2) Cost...$60-90 around here, while propane tanks can be bought new for $35...or had for free once expired.

3) If someone throws out an expansion tank...it likely has a hole in it from corrosion...do you REALLY want a pressure vessel that's corroded thin?

4) That "free" expansion tank will still have a bladder in it.

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 10:12 am
by jsefcik
Gippeto wrote:1) Expansion tanks have a bladder in them.

2) Cost...$60-90 around here, while propane tanks can be bought new for $35...or had for free once expired.

3) If someone throws out an expansion tank...it likely has a hole in it from corrosion...do you REALLY want a pressure vessel that's corroded thin?

4) That "free" expansion tank will still have a bladder in it.
i wasnt aware of a bladder, but thanks,

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 12:28 pm
by ramses
Gippeto wrote: 3) If someone throws out an expansion tank...it likely has a hole in it from corrosion...do you REALLY want a pressure vessel that's corroded thin? .
or a tear in the bladder