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CO2 fire extinguisher pressure


Guest guntherGre

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Guest guntherGre

Is the CO2 gas in Co2 fire extinguishers at room temperature liquid or in gas form? We had a discussion in our company and had lots of different ideas (but no knowledge :) ). Anybody can help?

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Since carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature, in order for it to exist in liquid form, the gas must be stored at extremely high pressure. When the pressure is released from the extinguisher, the gas expands, cooling the air and shooting out a white cloud resembling snow. Because the gas is so pressurized, dry ice may stream from the extinguisher or form around the horn when in use. That is why you should never touch the horn it can take your skin off, nasty. :unsure:

Because it is in liquid form that is how you are able to test the contents by weight. You have the net weight stamped on the cylinder, (weight of cylinder empty) weight the cylinder with contents, the gross weight, deduct one from the other gives weight of contents. Maximum weight of contents is also stamped on the cylinder. More than 10% loss then replace or recharge, usually replace.

Read more: How Do Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers Work? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/...l#ixzz1nrMjUx4Q

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I will revise my first posting slightly I should have said mostly liquid in fact it is both. The bulk is liquid with a vapour layer in the ullage space providing pressure. Liquid fill is to 2/3 of the capacity of the cylinder, unless using tropical fill. The pressure will vary depending on the temperature the higher the temperature the higher the pressure and visa versa.

If you wish to research it on the internet try,

http://www.warpig.co...ynamics.shtml#2 although it is about paint balling the much of the CO2 Physics will apply to any co2 cylinder including fire extinguishers.

 

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  • 1 month later...
Guest RodJack

When a fire extinguisher valve opens the pressure inside drops and this causes instantaneous boiling in the liquid. The boiling speed is so fast that the contents as it approaches the valve is part liquid and part gas. By the time the contents is expelled out of the nozzle or horn you see a cloud of CO2 mixed with frozen water that was present in the air at the time of the discharge.

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  • 2 years later...

As far as I am aware there is not one standard pressure for fire extinguishers, they vary depending on type, class, manufacturer and country. What I do know, when servicing, they should be treated with a great deal of respect.

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  • 5 months later...
  • 2 months later...

When you are dealing with CO2 fire extinguishers the pressure is such that the gas turns to liquid and remains that way until the pressure is reduced. When it is released it turns back to a gas that is why you have a discharge horn to slow down the pace of extinguishing medium to allow it to change state and scatter the fire you are trying to extinguish.

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  • 3 years later...

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