Extreme Dangers of Ethylene, Methane, and other HP gases.

[froudeg]

OK, i know that most of this has been said before, but i want to emphasise a few things all in one post.

I've read through just about every post on this forum documenting peoples adventures with cascade setups and the high pressure gases being used. I've seen some injuries already caused, some near misses and what appears to be a disaster waiting to happen.

I'm sorry but it must be said, but even the some of the more seasoned guys taking precautions are cutting corners when it comes to the safety using these gases.

Let me just emphasise just what your dealing with:

You are dealing with HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE (when contained / pressurised) gases, stored in cylinders under extreme pressures. These are potential bombs, should be handled like bombs, and treated with the upmost respect! - The things I've seen people doing and or thinking of doing scares the hell out of me.

Firstly, let me talk about the cylinders:

Ethylene comes in industrial cylinders upto 200 bars of pressure (usually 100), thats near on 3000 psi. That pressure, upon a rapid release, would turn that cylinder into a flying torpedo that has ability to penetrate concrete walls....

ALL CYLINDERS SHOULD BE CHAINED AND SECURED, before use. If something falls onto them or they fall over and it cracks off the valve, ya got a flying torpedo on ya hands. And with the amount of crap ive seen in ppl's work places - thats a more of a possibility than ya'd think.

ALWAYS use a proper reducing pressure regulator, and ALWAYS a type made of pure brass. DONT use aluminium or any other type of regulator - the release pressures are enuf to cause enuf friction with non brass regulators to self ignite!, and that could result in a flash back, and then ya can kiss your life, and probably your families lives goodbye.

DO NOT try to fill up a disposable refrigeration canisters with high pressure gases.....they are not designed to withstand the pressure and could explode.

DO NOT charge your systems in your house!, charge them outside, or in a BIG garage with plenty of ventilation.

DO NOT store your cylinders in warm places, or near ANY possible ignition sources.

DO NOT use your cylinders in any place with possible ignition sources - which basically includes garages. I highly recommend charging setups outside.

I recommend the use of a flash back arrestor after the regulator, in the, god forbid, unlikely event that it ignites you MUST protect yourself against a flashback, a flashback into a pressurised ethylene bottle will have enuf explosive power to blow your house to bits!

Which leads me onto another point:

For people with families, other house hold members - make sure they understand just how dangerous the gas's are that you have, make sure they never go near them. For people with children i would advise not keeping them anywhere in your house at all. For people using them in cascade systems, dont let them into the room with your setup.

Now onto the actual use of them as 2nd stage refrigerants:

As i've already screamed about - gases such as ethylene, ethane, methane are all highly flammable and potentially highly explosive.
In my opinion they just do not belong in non industrial refrigeration systems. These gases should never be put near electrical equipment.

As it stands, you are relatively safe with your open construction type cascade systems....in the event of a leak, at least the gas can disperse.
All though you are STILL RUNNING SOME RISK. In the event of a leak, especially on the high side, it only takes a spark....as spark generated by a flick of a switch, or a RELAY....and you could have a flame thrower on your hands, and again danger of a flashback to the high pressure gas in any running 2nd stage cascade.

For people looking to enclose these systems into prommy like sizes, here's a scnario for you:

A rupture occurs on the suction line hose, after the system has powered down and the suction line hose pressure is high.
Gas leaks out into the CONFINED, ENCLOSED SPACE of the unit.
On switch on, spark from a mains relay is generated......BANG! - at best your cascade/pc is toast, at worst, your toast.

Also a concern regarding methane. People are thinking of using it as a 3rd/4th stage refrigerant. At the operating pressures of 400psi, you do run more of a risk of a breach on the high side...A rupture on the home built oil seperators could be potential explosive - the steel wool being used could result in enuf friction from the escaping gas, to cause self ignition!

When charging your system with these gases, ensure you are wearing full body protection and have removed all ignition sources, including your lit brazing torch!

People need to think twice about using these gases.....for the beginners, dont even think about it. For those who are confident they are going to be ok...then they should think even harder about it, over confidence causes death - these gases are always dangerous, potentially lethal, and unless every precaution above is taken, you are risking your life, your families lives, just for the sake of a colder cpu!

Ok thats the end of my rant. It had to be said!

I'd hate to see anyone hurt or killed in their passion of overclocking and vapour phase cooling. I say all this to try and protect you guys!

Take care....extreme care!

[chilly1]

I am going to sticky and close this thread well said. These gasses are dangerous. Like any pressurized gas flammable or otherwise always use the proper toole with due care. Keep system charge to a minimum.