Skip to main content

Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety

In addition to the following general guidelines, refer to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): EHS-0001 Compressed Gases (certificate required). The SOP includes information about different hazard classes, transporting within campus, etc. For Cryogenics please refer to Cryogen Safety under Chemical – Chemicals: Best Practices and Guidance for Specific Chemicals, Cryogen Safety web course in the MIT Atlas Learning Center, and the Cryogenic Liquids SOP (certificate required).

Guidelines for Securing Cylinders

Gas Cylinders in Corridors

Compressed gas cylinders should not be stored in corridors. Best practices to consider when you cannot store your cylinders in your lab:

  • To make space, use the Gas Cylinder Summary Report and check if there are any Linde cylinders that can be returned. (This is an MIT Data Warehouse report. The Knowledge Base page provides instructions on how to access the report).
  • Download the B2P quickcards for instructions on how to request Linde pick up for unneeded cylinder(s) when you don’t need to order cylinders.

Additional information about compressed gas storage and other guidelines can be found in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): EHS-0001 Compressed Gases (certificate required).

Return Empty, Old, or Other Cylinders

  • Write on the Linde tag (or tape) EMPTY or Ready for pick up in big letters with a marker. Linde drivers asked us to make it very clear.
  • Request cylinder pickup through Buy-to-Pay (B2P) Click on the Linde catalog to submit a PO for cylinder returns only. Refer to step-by-step Quickcard for Returning Cylinders on B2P. Send any questions on this new process to b2p@mit.edu.
  • If a cylinder cannot be returned to a vendor,  contact EHS Environmental Management Program (EMP) about the cost of disposal, environment@mit.edu.
  • Call the MIT Cryogenic Lab 617-253-2250 to request a pick-up of their helium (gas) cylinders or cryogenic dewars.
  • If a contractor abandons cylinders, contact the Department of Facilities.
  • Student Groups can ask SAO to check their purchasing records.

Alternatives to Non-returnable gas cylinders

Disposing of Non-returnable gas cylinders can be very expensive and time consuming. (These are not the type of cylinder that are rented from Linde or other vendors.)  In the event that your research requires the use of small compressed gas cylinders, please follow this preferred method for procurement and disposal.

  • Work with Linde, MIT’s preferred gas vendor, to determine if the gas you need can be purchased in a returnable and refillable cylinder. Linde can also provide various size cylinders to reduce the potential safety hazards involved in the use of hazardous gases.  They can advise you about other vendors who sell the gases that Linde doesn’t.
  • Order the smallest returnable or refillable cylinder possible. (Sulfur Dioxide; Hydrogen Chloride; Ammonia; Chlorine)  Matheson Gas has several options which can be found on www.mathesongas.com.
  • Another option is to have a cylinder partially filled with only the amount of gas that you need so you reduce your cost and you reduce the hazard.

Resources

Files

In addition to the following general guidelines, refer to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): EHS-0001 Compressed Gases (certificate required). The SOP includes information about different hazard classes, transporting within campus, etc. For Cryogenics please refer to Cryogen Safety under Chemical – Chemicals: Best Practices and Guidance for Specific Chemicals, Cryogen Safety web course in the MIT Atlas Learning Center, and the Cryogenic Liquids SOP (certificate required).

Guidelines for Securing Cylinders

Gas Cylinders in Corridors

Compressed gas cylinders should not be stored in corridors. Best practices to consider when you cannot store your cylinders in your lab:

  • To make space, use the Gas Cylinder Summary Report and check if there are any Linde cylinders that can be returned. (This is an MIT Data Warehouse report. The Knowledge Base page provides instructions on how to access the report).
  • Download the B2P quickcards for instructions on how to request Linde pick up for unneeded cylinder(s) when you don’t need to order cylinders.

Additional information about compressed gas storage and other guidelines can be found in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): EHS-0001 Compressed Gases (certificate required).

Return Empty, Old, or Other Cylinders

  • Write on the Linde tag (or tape) EMPTY or Ready for pick up in big letters with a marker. Linde drivers asked us to make it very clear.
  • Request cylinder pickup through Buy-to-Pay (B2P) Click on the Linde catalog to submit a PO for cylinder returns only. Refer to step-by-step Quickcard for Returning Cylinders on B2P. Send any questions on this new process to b2p@mit.edu.
  • If a cylinder cannot be returned to a vendor,  contact EHS Environmental Management Program (EMP) about the cost of disposal, environment@mit.edu.
  • Call the MIT Cryogenic Lab 617-253-2250 to request a pick-up of their helium (gas) cylinders or cryogenic dewars.
  • If a contractor abandons cylinders, contact the Department of Facilities.
  • Student Groups can ask SAO to check their purchasing records.

Alternatives to Non-returnable gas cylinders

Disposing of Non-returnable gas cylinders can be very expensive and time consuming. (These are not the type of cylinder that are rented from Linde or other vendors.)  In the event that your research requires the use of small compressed gas cylinders, please follow this preferred method for procurement and disposal.

  • Work with Linde, MIT’s preferred gas vendor, to determine if the gas you need can be purchased in a returnable and refillable cylinder. Linde can also provide various size cylinders to reduce the potential safety hazards involved in the use of hazardous gases.  They can advise you about other vendors who sell the gases that Linde doesn’t.
  • Order the smallest returnable or refillable cylinder possible. (Sulfur Dioxide; Hydrogen Chloride; Ammonia; Chlorine)  Matheson Gas has several options which can be found on www.mathesongas.com.
  • Another option is to have a cylinder partially filled with only the amount of gas that you need so you reduce your cost and you reduce the hazard.

Resources

Files