Inspection of CO2 tank

What are you inspecting for? Once we know that we can tell you how. Did it freeze?

I used to work at a tank manufacturer, and we had video of freezing a tank. It's really cool (no pun intended) to see the dry-icebergs start to form and float up like dumplings in soup! The steel was rated for the low temperature, and the tank was only about 1/3 or 1/2 full. They welded a couple of sight glasses on top for light and camera. We still used the tank for CO2 storage after it went through another hydrotest.

The only way to visually inspect it is to open up a nozzle connection and boroscope it.

This is very tedious and time consuming, but it's about the only way of not taking the insulation off I'm aware of.

To check for cracks if you suspect overpressure, you could eddy current test it, but the insulation must come off. Same goes for an electronic metal thickness gage unless you have a robot arm the insulation must come off.

Maybe someone else knows of a way.

For starters, here's the CO₂ page from a pressure vessel manufacturer.

http://www.uigi.com/co2tanks.html

Specific testing requirements and frequency are dictated by the local and State agencies responsible for maintaining standards of safety in your industry, and which version of which code will be followed. You should direct your inquiries to them.

You can review ASME pressure vessel codes to get a general idea of what to expect. If you like, you can exceed what the code requires, but those government safety agencies establish the minimum requirements.

Hi

Depends upon how thick you insulation is and of what material,? but we use several technologies including thermography, & Pulsed Eddy current to avoid removing the insulation and the "borescoping " is not tedious just necessary.