Nitrogen Gas Tanks on Plano Roadsides? (Happy: live, dangerous, safe)

[Mershu]

Does anyone know what these random gas tanks/cylinders just off the roadways are for? seems dangerous having a large compressed gas so close to moving traffic.

I don't know if these things are found all over the DFW area or just Plano ..... since I recently moved to Plano, TX from out of state.

[Pooua]

They are everywhere. I noticed them when I first moved to the state, 17 years ago. I cannot say authoritatively why they are there, but I believe they are to keep moisture out of equipment lines (such as for telecommunications). That is typically the use of dry nitrogen where I have seen these tanks.

Yes, the sight of these cylinders has always seemed weird to me, too.

[BoxCar Willie]

For 20 yrs I lived next door to a guy who was the gas tank guy is back yard was loaded with full and empty LP gas tanks . in all that time I've neve seen one explode. LN [Liquid Nitrogen] is vey safe and these tanks won't explode that easily therefo are very safe. YOUR gas tank in your own vehicle is in more danger of going bang then those tanks are.

[Big G]

The air around us is close to 80% Nitrogen. Any explosion would be a purely mechanical one (similar to a balloon popping), not a chemical one. It's not going to be anything like, say, a propare tank blowing up.

[Pooua]

Originally Posted by Big G

The air around us is close to 80% Nitrogen. Any explosion would be a purely mechanical one (similar to a balloon popping), not a chemical one. It's not going to be anything like, say, a propare tank blowing up.

I still wouldn't want to be standing next to it.

There is one other thing, though. Compressed gases escaping from a broken cylinder can propel the cylinder like a rocket.

[Pooua]

Originally Posted by BoxCar Willie

For 20 yrs I lived next door to a guy who was the gas tank guy is back yard was loaded with full and empty LP gas tanks . in all that time I've neve seen one explode. LN [Liquid Nitrogen] is vey safe and these tanks won't explode that easily therefo are very safe. YOUR gas tank in your own vehicle is in more danger of going bang then those tanks are.

I think that OP was talking about the green compressed N2 tanks, not the shiny metal liquid nitrogen dewars that are also used.

[greyfeather]

Originally Posted by Pooua

They are everywhere. I noticed them when I first moved to the state, 17 years ago. .... they are to keep moisture out of equipment lines (such as for telecommunications). That is typically the use of dry nitrogen where I have seen these tanks. .

When it rains, particularly when the rain soaks the ground and puddles up everywhere, the phone company has a real problem. They try to seal their cables, but wind and heat and sunshine cause cracks here and there. They have found that putting the inside of their cables under slight gas pressure (dry, INERT gas, think nitrogen) the moisture can be held at bay. They also try to monitor the gas pressure with their automated systems to know when to come out and replace the tanks (or fix the cable, if the pressure drops too quickly). If you are connected to good old "dial tone" service with Verizon, rather than cell service, this is a really good thing.... even when the power goes out, you have your telephone service because of these funny, strange, threatening tanks standing around here and there. Be Happy.

[kenshi]

In addition to what greyfeather said, it can also be used to cool underground transformers (in some cities) and is also useful for certain repairs. Here's some more information on it.

[Double-G]

Originally Posted by Pooua

There is one other thing, though. Compressed gases escaping from a broken cylinder can propel the cylinder like a rocket.

That is true. And the reason you don't hear a lot about N2 tanks launching all over DFW is because, by and large, people don't go around with RPGs shooting them.

That's more of an Arkansas thing.

[Pooua]

It's just odd that DFW is the only place in the world that I have seen compressed gas tanks lining the roads.