Bottle Condition - Is this Safe?

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

I have an Aadms Gas 9Ltr Argon CO2 Mix bottle which was originally couriered, can't remember where from. I have just exchanged it using a local Adams Gas Delear, my wife collected it for me.

The bottle I handed in was new and clean however the bottle they handed to my wife was covered in a couple of years worth of dust and more worryingly the circlip seal around the neck of the main valve is rusted and the aluminium valve has white corrosion on it which to me says that this bottle has been sitting around / outside for a long while.

Before I either clean this bottle up and use it or take it back and complain can I have some expert opinions on whether this is acceptable??

Here's the pics:

 

[Wozzaaah]

That looks fine to me.
That circlip is nothing to do with any sealing, it only helps to secure the carrying handle onto the cylinder itself, you can see that by the green ring inside it which is part of the actual cylinder and the corrosion on the handwheel won't affect the valve itself as the valve is the big brass lump the wheel is mounted to.
I would still send them the photos just in case they somehow try to blame you for the condition it's in an charge you accordingly.

 

[octo0072000]

take it back your wife has been fobbed off complain direct to adams gas HQ i would
looks like it's been left out side a long time dont remove the plastic

 

[octo0072000]

That looks fine to me.
That circlip is nothing to do with any sealing, it only helps to secure the carrying handle onto the cylinder itself, you can see that by the green ring inside it which is part of the actual cylinder and the corrosion on the handwheel won't affect the valve itself as the valve is the big brass lump the wheel is mounted to.
I would still send them the photos just in case they somehow try to blame you for the condition it's in an charge you accordingly.

Wozz if you went to pick that up would you accept it i wouldn't if 98 3 in a circle means year and month its over 16 years old

 

[Wozzaaah]

No, I probably wouldn't but he was asking if it's ok and technically I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be as long as there's still the right amount of gas in it.
What is the test date on that blue plastic collar Jonny?

 

[JonnyAlpha]

'RETEST 2020' so I guess its in date :-) Just not been stored particularly well.

 

[Wozzaaah]

No, it hasn't.
If you're that concerned and it's not far to go then you might as well exchange it but as it is it should be perfectly usable.

 

[Spark plug]

It wouldn't be worried I've had much worse from air products.

 

[mike 109444]

If I recall Adams gas cylinders are on a deposit. If so then the amount of deposit they choose to return to you is reflected in the condition of the bottle.

 

[brightspark]

If I recall Adams gas cylinders are on a deposit. If so then the amount of deposit they choose to return to you is reflected in the condition of the bottle.

so does that mean if they give u a crappy bottle and u turn it in for a refund there gonna dock u money that sounds a bit iffy

 

[mike 109444]

Like I said, I think Adams ones are "deposit" and in the past when looking at the "deposit" bottle option I did see on some the mention of "full return of deposit if bottle returned in good condition" or words to that effect. As Adams seam to use couriers, you get a bottle in a box/shipping carton which you may not open till the courier is off down the road.

 

[DrNik]

If you can actually turn it on you may find it won't turn off, thus wasting all the gas, take I back and kick up a real stink, if no help ring head office

 

[Bill Edwards]

In answer to the safety question it looks fine.

 

[Pete.]

I think they need to be very careful about supplying a bottle that looks like the knob is about to disintegrate or they might cop a lawsuit when someone gashes their hand open. A few minutes with a wire brush and a new twist-knob and you wouldn't recognise it so why they haven't done that I don't know.

 

[Jim Davey]

It's a bit crusty granted, but if it's full and doesn't leak what's the problem?
Bottles do live outside where UV, rain and bird poo are a constant issue.
Give it a quick scrub with a soapy bristle brush and soapy water, or drive back and return it, but having seen the state some of my cylinders come back in, covered in grease, graffiti, mud or cement I'd not be too worried about the condition yours is in.

 

[brightspark]

well when u have shiny new welders and fit a crappy looking bottle to it it lowers the tone . makes no odds to me as long as the things full and the threads dont knack me regulator and it wont go bang then i would be narked

 

[JonnyAlpha]

I am happy to clean up the bottle, but have just emailed Adams Gas to confirm that my deposit wont be affected when / if I return it.
I used to run a gas account for a workshop and if I handed out a bottle in that condition I would have had it refused.

Out of curiosity I looked at the SDS on the Adams Web Site ref storage it states:

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Full containers should be stored so that oldest stock is used first.
Containers should be stored in a purpose build compound which should be
well ventilated, preferably in the open air. Stored containers should be
periodically checked for general condition and leakage. Observe all
regulations and local requirements regarding storage of containers.
Protect containers stored in the open against rusting and extremes of
weather. Containers should not be stored in conditions likely to
encourage corrosion. Containers should be stored in the vertical position
and properly secured to prevent toppling. The container valves should be
tightly closed and where appropriate valve outlets should be capped or
plugged. Container valve guards or caps should be in place. Keep
containers tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place. Store
containers in location free from fire risk and away from sources of
Heat and ignition. Full and empty cylinders should be segregated. Do not
allow storage temperature to exceed 50°C (122°F). Return empty containers
in a timely manner.

 

[W.olly]

Its down to yurself JA, it says that the cylinder must be kept from corrosion, your hasnt, so do you want to bother to use it still as its not been looked after by the dealer, will this drop back on you? I would say its safe to use aslong as the cylinder can be turned off, i have seen they cant beat times, but then the ones i collected looked in better condition than yours so you cant really tell by the looks of a cylinder.

If it bother you take it back for an exchange and say what the problem is, no big deal in doing so. The gas doesnt go out of date, just the inspection date does.