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Lab #1 – Cylinders, Regulators and Flowmeters
RsCr 220 - Lab Exercise 1 Name ____________________________________
Cylinders, Regulators and Flowmeters
1. Inspect a H cylinder and in the space below list
as many of the symbols or markings found on the
shoulder of the tank. Understand any?
Become familiar with the transportation of H size cylinders by doing the following:
(Have an instructor initial in the space provided when you have accomplished each
task).
_____Instructor Initials a. Push an H cylinder across the room and back (while on the cart.)
_____Instructor Initials b. Remove the H cylinder and roll it 10 feet away from the cart and
then return it to the cart and re-chain it.
a. Remove the cylinder cap and carefully “crack” the cylinder (make sure the outlet is
facing away from anyone!) We do this to remove any possible debris from the tank
connection. Why is the oxygen coming out of the tank cold? Eventually even the top
half of the tank will become quite cold.
Pressure drops at regulator, therefore, temp. drops per Gay Lusaac’s
(Hint. What happens to the pressure and volume of the gas in the tank upon entering
the atmosphere? How are pressure and temperature (Gay-Lussac’s Law) related? )
b. Obtain an appropriate wrench, regulator and attach it to the cylinder that you just
cracked. Open the cylinder valve by turning it at least two full turns. Check for leaks
(listen and feel). What is the amount of pressure indicated on the regulator? What is
the pressure of a full cylinder? When is it considered medically empty? 500 PSI
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Lab #1 – Cylinders, Regulators and Flowmeters
Turn the cylinder off and release the pressure in the regulator by turning on the
flowmeter. Once flow has ceased, use the wrench to remove the regulator from the
cylinder. Facing the regulator rotate the nut counter-clockwise to remove.
DO ALL OF THESE MANIPULATIONS - MANY TIMES - UNTIL YOU ARE PROFICIENT
REMEMBER:
2. Obtain an E cylinder and attach an appropriate regulator. Open the cylinder valve
and check for leaks. Note the internal tank pressure. Write the amount in the space
below.
a. What safety system is employed in these regulator connections? Why do we need a
safety system anyway? PISS To prevent errors such as wrong gasses used.
b. Turn the flow onto 3 L/m. Slowly cover the outlet with your hand at the same time
watching the flow gauge. What happens to the flow reading?
Goes up or stays the same even though the flow drops this means that the
gauges read inaccurately when there is pressure downstream.
c. Release your hand. Check to make sure the flow is still 3 L/m. Now attach a
Christmas Tree adapter (oxygen nipple) and a length of small bore oxygen hose.
Does the flow change?
d. Turn the cylinder off. Turn the flowmeter on until the flow ceases to release the
pressure inside the regulator. Remove the Christmas tree adapter and oxygen hose.
Remove the regulator.
e. On this sheet below, draw (as best you can) each of the following:
The stem of the E cylinder (the side The E cylinder regulator (label all parts as
with the greatest number of holes). best you can) i.e. Pins, washer, pressure
gauge, flow-meter
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Lab #1 – Cylinders, Regulators and Flowmeters
3. Obtain a Wall Flowmeter (Thorpe tube), a Christmas tree adapter and a length of
oxygen tubing. Attach and re-attach the flowmeter to the appropriate outlet. What is
stopping you from putting an air flowmeter on an oxygen outlet? What safety system
governs this Station Outlet connection? What is the alternate system? (We don’t have it
here in the lab!)
Quick Connect System
4. Turn the flowmeter to 4 L/m. (Make sure the ball-float is in the center of the
appropriate marking.) Attach the Christmas tree and oxygen tubing. Did the flow
change?
NO
a. Now firmly cover the outlet with your hand. Did the flow change? If so how? Why?
Release your hand and make sure the flow setting is still 4 L/m.
Flow reading drops just like the actual flow
b. According to the text, what are the two types of Thorpe tube flow-meters. Explain
as fully as you can what kind of Thorpe tube flowmeters are here in lab?
Pressure compensated and uncompensated. The lab flow meters are compensated.
They are calibrated at 50 PSI and the needle valve is downstream from the Thorpe
tube and will read accurately when back pressure is applied.
c. Why (pressure balance) does the ball in the Thorpe tube balance in mid-air?
Force of flow equals the mass of the ball
d. Why can both an air and oxygen flowmeter attached to air and 02 outlets be
potentially hazardous?
Someone can inadvertently attach 02 delivery devices such as a mask to the room
air flowmeter. They will think they are giving the patient 02 when they are really
not.
Turn the flowmeter off, disconnect it from the outlet and return all the equipment to the
countertop.
Answer the following questions. This entire Lab is due at the end of this period.
Page 3 of 4
Lab #1 – Cylinders, Regulators and Flowmeters
1. A flowmeter attached to an "H" cylinder is running at 8 LPM. The cylinder pressure is
1220 PSI. How long will the cylinder last? (Show your work)
1220 PSI X 3.14 L/PSI = 3131 liters/8 LPM = 479 minutes /60 = 7 hours and
59 minutes (on a multiple choice answer always pick the one that is either right or
a little lower than your answer. Never a higher number since that would not be
safe.
2. Calculate how long an "E" cylinder will last during transport at 6 LPM with 1400 psi.
(Show your work.)
1400 PSI X .28 L/PSI = 392/ 6 LPM = 65 minutes/60 minutes = 1 hour and 5
minutes
3. Give an example of a connection that utilizes the PISS safety system. (Be specific and
use complete sentences.)
The PISS safety system governs the connection between the regulator and an A
through E cylinder
4. Which type of flowmeter must be used in the upright position? Why?
Thorpe tube, since the Thorpe tube is affected by gravity so it must be upright.
5. What is the standard hospital wall pressure? So most flowmeters are calibrated to
operate at what pressure?
50 PSI
6. Is this considered a high pressure or low pressure system?
LOW Pressure (less than 200 PSI)
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