7.2 cubic metres of Nitrogen compressed, will last 30mins-1hr of usage

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of a 7.2 cubic meter compressed nitrogen cylinder for filling miniature go-kart tires. Participants emphasize the importance of calculating the flow rate and pressure to determine how long the nitrogen will last during usage. The ideal gas law (PV = NRT) is recommended for estimating gas usage, and a flow rate of 0.1 kg/s versus 10 kg/s significantly impacts the duration of use. A pressure regulator is essential for safe operation, and using a liquid nitrogen dewar is suggested for more efficient gas delivery.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law (PV = NRT)
  • Knowledge of gas flow rates and pressure calculations
  • Familiarity with nitrogen gas properties and applications
  • Experience with pressure regulators and gas delivery systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to calculate gas flow rates using the Linde Gas Calculator
  • Learn about the operation and benefits of using a liquid nitrogen dewar
  • Study the safety protocols for using high-pressure gas cylinders
  • Investigate the specifications and applications of nitrogen pressure regulators
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for engineers, hobbyists, and anyone involved in projects requiring the use of compressed nitrogen, particularly in automotive applications such as tire inflation.

JL3110
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
So I am currently looking to work on some projects with my brother.

I have some questions regarding the usage of nitrogen.
We are looking at a 7.2 cubic metre cylinder of Nitrogen Pure compressed and wondering at what rate of pressure will equal roughly 30-60mins of use?

Nitrogen Bottle here: https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/gases/nitrogen-gas/nitrogen--industrial-grade--compressed

We are still relatively new to this hence why we are seeking all advice, and knowledge before continuing.
So I am currently looking to work on some projects with my brother.

I have some questions regarding the usage of nitrogen.
We are looking at a 7.2 cubic metre cylinder of Nitrogen Pure compressed and wondering at what rate of pressure will equal roughly 30-60mins of use?

Nitrogen Bottle here: https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/gases/nitrogen-gas/nitrogen--industrial-grade--compressed We are still relatively new to this hence why we are seeking all advice, and knowledge before continuing.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Hello JL, & bro, :welcome: !

7.2 cubic meters is huge ! Size G apparently.

You will need to give https://www.linde-gas.nl/en/news_and_media/tool/gas_calculator/ if you want to calculate a time: the flowrate at delivery pressure, for example
 
Great well if the size is huge it should definitely do the job.

What information do you need?

I am not sure what flowrate I will use and what pressure yet, that's what I am trying to determine.
Forgive me, we are still learning to wrap our heads around this.

Kind regards,

BvU said:
Hello JL, & bro, :welcome: !

7.2 cubic meters is huge ! Size G apparently.

You will need to give https://www.linde-gas.nl/en/news_and_media/tool/gas_calculator/ if you want to calculate a time: the flowrate at delivery pressure, for example
 
JL3110 said:
I am not sure what flowrate I will use and what pressure yet, that's what I am trying to determine.
Makes a difference if you use 0.1 kg/s or 10 :smile: !

So: how do you know you need a 7.2 m3 'bottle' ?

In the mean time, study the ideal gas law ##pV = NRT ## for estimates.
 
im not sure if 7.2m cubic is the right amount, it was just the largest and we figured it should be enough for our projects. We would rather have some left over than have none.
We are filling small tyres, like miniature go carts tyres.
 
Way too big. Estimate the volume of a tyre and the desired pressure.

Remember, you get the stuff delivered 200 Bara in e.g an 1.8 m3 bottle .

Say the desired tyre pressure is 4 Bara and a tyre is 0.004 m3. You can fill some $$1.8/0.004 \times 200/4 = 20000 $$ tyres
 
By the way, a potential supplier should be happy to help you with this !
 
@BvU are you sure you're giving good advice? The volume of these gas cylinders is given as the volume of gas at STP. Since it is compressed to ~150 atmospheres, the volume of the actual cylinder is much smaller. The 7.2 m^3 N2 bottle is a standard gas cylinder, about 6-8 inches in diameter and about 4 feet tall. This size cylinder is used all the time.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BvU
What would you recommend?
Would this suffice or would 2 be required possibly?

phyzguy said:
@BvU are you sure you're giving good advice? The volume of these gas cylinders is given as the volume of gas at STP. Since it is compressed to ~150 atmospheres, the volume of the actual cylinder is much smaller. The 7.2 m^3 N2 bottle is a standard gas cylinder, about 6-8 inches in diameter and about 4 feet tall. This size cylinder is used all the time.
 
  • #10
JL3110 said:
What would you recommend?
Would this suffice or would 2 be required possibly?
You haven't given enough information to decide. Simply giving the pressure isn't enough. The gas cylinder can supply high pressure indefinitely if you aren't using any volume. What are you attempting to do? Fill tires? If so, what is the volume of the tire, how many tires do you want to fill, and what pressure do you want to fill them to?
 
  • #11
My apologies this is what I am looking to ascertain.

the volume capacity of the bag inside the tyres are 50L.
Roughly got about 16 to fill.
The desired pressure at this stage isn't clear, we will relatively go by test and trial but low pressure is what we are aiming for.

My question i guess was if i had that 7.2 cubic metre cylinder, and i was to use a low rate of pressure release from the cylinder to fill the 16 50L bags how long would it take? Would I have enough nitrogen?

phyzguy said:
You haven't given enough information to decide. Simply giving the pressure isn't enough. The gas cylinder can supply high pressure indefinitely if you aren't using any volume. What are you attempting to do? Fill tires? If so, what is the volume of the tire, how many tires do you want to fill, and what pressure do you want to fill them to?
 
  • #12
Well, a liter is 1000 cm^3, and 1 m^3 = (100 cm)^3 = 10^6 cm^3, so 1 m^3 is 1000 liters. So say you want to fill the tires to 4 atmospheres, which is approximately 60 psi or about 4.1 bar. That would use 16*50*4 = 3200 L. So you could do this twice with your 7.2 m^3 cylinder. If you use less pressure, you could do it more times, more pressure would mean less times. Does this make sense?
 
  • #13
50 liters sounds like a lot of volume for a go kart tyre. What is your basis for this number i.e. Is this maybe the amount of gas @ atmospheric pressure or is it from an actual dimensional volume of the inner tube in the tyre?
 
  • #14
phyzguy said:
So say you want to fill the tires to 4 atmospheres, which is approximately 60 psi or about 4.1 bar.

The 4 bar pressure was an example pressure in post #6 by @BvU , it is not a stated requirement by OP.
 
  • #15
phyzguy said:
@BvU The volume of these gas cylinders is given as the volume of gas at STP.
That 's misleading to me -- sorry if I missed that.

Oh well, that's what you get when you look at things as a physicist...

@JL3110 : what's the argument to reject a solution with a simple small and cheap air compressor like my bike repairman uses ?
And: exactly how big are these 'miniature go cart tyres' ? Or is the 50 L at STP too ?
 
  • #16
Nitrogen is used in aircraft tires for a great many reasons, no moisture and large molecules are two. Those big bottles are used with a regulator so the output pressure can be set. At 80 psi an eight wheel aircraft could have all its tires filled one after another without a tremendous change in bottle temperature. Small valve stem diameters limit airflow.
An anecdote about using high pressure nitrogen without the regulator.

A tire not on an aircraft needed to be filled for analysis but the regulator had been sent out for repairs. The mechanic was rather inexperienced and figured on just cracking the valve slightly so just 80 psi would come out of the 4000 psi bottle, saving waiting time.
When the bolts holding the rim together gave out, the half not tied down went through the hanger wall and damaged an aircraft parked outside.

I have not seen mention of a pressure regulator and if the product is to be used in real life, I worry.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BvU
  • #17
Torbert said:
I have not seen mention of a pressure regulator and if the product is to be used in real life, I worry.

Yes, @JL3110 , I want to emphasize this point. You absolutely need a regulator for what you are trying to do.
 
  • #18
If you are going to fill lots of tires, you would be better off using a liquid nitrogen dewer. Those have gas phase valves that allow you to take warm gas out. Since nitrogen goes from liquid to vapor at an expansion ratio of a little over 600:1, you can pack a lot of gas into an LM2 dewer.

https://www.westairgases.com/blog/to-know-your-dewar-is-to-love-your-dewar