DCHAS-L Archives, Feb 24 2022 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Pressurization of 5 gallon glass carboy

Hydrostatic testing of a glass component has limited utility because glass is a brittle material and will fail, not deform. Worse, Glass can break rather suddenly without any motivating cause as residual stresses vary from heating or time. Unless the vendor specifically rates them for more than 3-5 psig I would never suggest pressuring any glass container regardless of how you tested it. I have seen glass containers pass a hydrotest and fail the next week at much lower pressures.

I talk about this more in my article:

Glass and Pressure, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/glass-pressure-richard-palluzi/

Richard Palluzi

BE(ChE), ME(ChE), PE, CSP,FAIChE

Pilot plant and laboratory consulting, safety, design, reviews, and training

www.linkedin.com/in/richardppalluzillc/

Richard P Palluzi LLC

72 Summit Drive

Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

rpalluzi**At_Symbol_Here**verizon.net

908-285-3782

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Tammy M. Lutz-Rechtin
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2022 11:38 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pressurization of 5 gallon glass carboy

It is hard to comment with specifics because of the big unknowns in the description "gas demonstrations." Firstly, the integrity of the new glass vessels could be affected by the etching. The real pressure it can handle will depend on the temperature of the demonstration and wall thickness. Larger vessels tend to have lower ratings unless the thickness is substantially increased. If the demonstrator is worried about pressure, then I suggest three things (1) hydrostatic testing before use (2) don't use it over 25 psi max. and (3) add a sized pressure relief device to prevent over-pressurization.

Tammy Rechtin, Ph.D.

Chemical Engineering Safety Coordinator

Ralph E. Martin, Department of Chemical Engineering

University of Arkansas

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of Ralph Stuart <ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**KEENE.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2022 10:14 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Pressurization of 5 gallon glass carboy

One of our faculty member was doing due diligence inspections on inherited equipment he uses in the physical chemistry lab for gas demonstrations. He found some defects in glass 5 gallon carboys, so ordered replacements. They arrived from DWK-Kimble with precautions etched on the outside, including “Do not evacuate or pressurize unless recommended in the current DWK Kimble catalog.” Unfortunately, the catalog does not contain any information about pressurizing or evacuating the carboys. It simply says that the carboys are "Ideal for storage and dispensing of solutions.”

There are no discernible design differences between the new carboys and the older ones. I wonder if anyone on the list has experience with assessing the risk associated with gas pressure differences with this equipment?

Thanks for any information on this.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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