Krypton Cylinder

Krypton is an inert, odorless, tasteless and colorless monatomic gas (the chemical formula is Kr), which is three times heavier than air. Krypton is an extremely rare gas, its content in the atmospheric air is about 1 cm2 in 1 m2 of air. At normal pressure, krypton liquefies at a temperature of -153.4°C and freezes at a temperature of -157.4°C. Krypton is obtained from atmospheric air as a by-product in the form of a krypton-xenon mixture during its separation by low-temperature rectification. The resulting krypton-xenon mixture is further purified from impurities and moisture, after which it is separated into the pure components krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe).

APPLICATION:

Cylinders are not hazardous cargo until they are taken into use, but in any case they should be transported in conditions that exclude mechanical damage. Cylinders filled with krypton shall be transported by all modes of transport in accordance with cargo carriage regulations applicable to this mode of transport, as well as safety rules for transportation of dangerous goods by rail. Cylinders filled with krypton shall be transported by rail in wagon-load shipments in boxcars or containers. Small and medium capacity cylinders are transported in unit-load devices. Cylinders may be transported without containers in an upright position and must be fitted with spacers between them and secured against possible falling. Small and medium capacity cylinders shall be transported by river in enclosed cargo spaces of ships and in general-purpose containers on decks. When transported by rail, road and river transport small capacity cylinders should be packed in board boxes. Cylinders must be stacked horizontally in boxes, facing the same direction, with mandatory gaskets between the cylinders, protecting them from hitting each other. The weight of the load in each box must not exceed 65 kg. The cylinders must be transported with caps screwed on.

Cylinders designed for storage and transportation of krypton must not be used for storage and transportation of other gases, and it is prohibited to perform any operations that may contaminate their internal surface and degrade the physical and chemical properties of the gas. It is forbidden to make any modifications to the cylinder bodies using welding or mechanical tools, which can lead to damage to the integrity or appearance of defects that degrade the technical characteristics of the cylinders. When using krypton cylinders it is not allowed to install them in the places of people passage, movement of goods and passage of vehicles. Cylinders must be located at least 1 m away from radiators and other heating devices and at least 5 m from heat sources with open flame. Krypton is non-toxic and non-explosive, but its accumulation in poorly ventilated rooms near the floor and in the pits can cause oxygen deficiency. In places of possible accumulation of krypton it is necessary to control the oxygen volume fraction, which should not be lower than 19%. The nominal pressure of krypton at 20 °C should not be less than 9.8 MPa (100 kgf/cm2). The gas in the cylinders must not be completely consumed when in use. The residual gas pressure in the cylinder must be at least 0.05 MPa (0.5 kgf/cm2).

Cylinders with krypton can be stored both in special rooms and outdoors, in the latter case they must be protected from atmospheric precipitation and sunlight. Cylinders filled with krypton may be stored in open areas together with other air separation products, provided that the storage areas are separated from each other by non-combustible barriers with a height of 1.5 m, joint storage with cylinders filled with combustible gases is also allowed, provided that the storage areas are separated from each other by non-combustible protective walls not less than 2.5 m high. Storage of cylinders should be carried out with the caps screwed on.