What precautions should be taken when storing and transporting oxygen cylinders? How to prevent safety issues?

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Oxygen cylinders can generally explode. An explosion of an oxygen cylinder is not a chemical explosion, but a physical explosion. A physical explosion occurs when the gas pressure becomes too high and the outer shell cannot withstand it (try blowing up a balloon). There are generally two ways to increase pressure: one is to add more gas, and the other is to raise the temperature. However, given the thickness of the oxygen cylinder body, it is very difficult to create the conditions at home that would cause the cylinder to explode. Why are measures to prevent tipping necessary when using oxygen cylinders? According to this view, when an oxygen cylinder is used in a horizontal position and its valve leaks, the strong reaction force resulting from the oxygen leakage causes the cylinder to shoot forward or roll across the ground; if there are people nearby, they could be injured. Oxygen cylinders should be used with them placed vertically; this problem does not occur if there is any leakage. It might seem a bit strange at first, but it is indeed the case, and measures to prevent tipping over are absolutely necessary! ! I. Precautions for storing oxygen cylinders 1. Protect from direct sunlight: In summer, use a shelter to provide shade and prevent direct sunlight from hitting the cylinders ； 2. Rain protection: The storage location should be placed at a high place to prevent the bottles from rusting due to rain exposure and water accumulation on the ground ； 3. Lightning protection: The storage location should be kept at a distance of more than 10 meters from lightning rods and the lightning protection grounding systems of tall buildings ； 4. Protection against oil contamination: The storage location should be kept at a distance of over 10 meters from oil tanks and barrels ； 5. Anti-static measures: The storage location should be kept away from overhead high-voltage lines and underground cables, to prevent more serious accidents in the event of a failure in those cables ； 6. Heat source protection: The storage location should be kept away from heating pipes and radiators to prevent heat radiation ； 7. Preventing room collapse: Storage locations should not be built near dilapidated buildings or temporary structures, and compressed gas cylinders must not be stored inside such buildings ； 8. Fire prevention: The storage location should be kept at a distance of over 10 meters from areas where flammable materials are stored ； 9. Corrosion prevention: Compressed gas cylinders should be stored away from substances with strong oxidizing and corrosive properties, and fire-fighting equipment should be placed 3-5 meters away from the storage location. https://p7.itc.cn/images01/20200526/4bff619bb59a44338f0aecd0b35ad027.png II. Methods for transporting oxygen cylinders: 1. Special lifting frames or trolleys should be used for transporting gas cylinders. 2. Transport gas cylinders should be placed in a specially designed semi-circular wooden cradle ； If there is no socket frame, two rope loops or rubber bands with a thickness of not less than 25 millimeters can be fitted around each gas cylinder to prevent them from hitting each other. 3. The valves of all gas cylinders should face upward. 4. When transporting gas cylinders by car, they must not be placed longitudinally inside the vehicle; instead, they should be placed horizontally. The cylinder escort personnel must sit in the driver’s cabin and are not allowed to sit in the cargo area. 5. To prevent the gas cylinder from rolling during transportation, it should be securely fixed. 6. When transporting gas cylinders by car, carriage, or open railway cars, they should be covered with canvas to protect them from direct sunlight. 7. Whether the cylinder is inflated or empty, it must have its safety cap on the neck as well as the nut cover on the connector on the side of the valve before it can be transported. 8. When transporting oxygen cylinders, it is necessary to ensure that they are not contaminated with grease, asphalt, etc. 9. It is strictly prohibited to transport oxygen cylinders and acetylene cylinders together, nor shall they be transported alongside flammable materials or containers containing combustible gases. http://p9.itc.cn/images01/20200526/bae84b83daf6451ab8c32ecb940fbe45.png The safety issues associated with the transportation of hazardous materials have always been a matter of concern. In the event of an accident during transportation, there are risks such as explosions, fires, and leaks, all of which can cause severe damage! Therefore, Driver Wei wants to remind all truck drivers to prioritize their own and others’ safety. We must continuously learn the basic knowledge of safe transportation of hazardous materials to ensure the safety of such shipments.