CO2 vs. Nitrogen

[pappy]

My CO2 bottle was about to expire, so I thought I would get it filled to postpone getting it hydro-tested. The process at Tri-gas just keeps changing. Historically, you could go to Washington St and get it filled. Then they changed to paying at their retail store on 2nd street, then took the receipt to Washington St and had the bottle filled. Now (sigh), you drop off the bottle at 2nd street and they call you in a few days when they fill it.

But, that is not the point of this post. The fella I was talking to really tried to convince me to convert the bottle to nitrogen. Said it would take a new valve and an adapter. Said the Fed is labeling CO2 as "food grade" which was going to raise the price. Said right now N is the same price as CO2. Said that anybody can fill N, but not always CO2.

I was under the impression that nitrogen was less dense and a fill didn't go as far. So what is the deal here?

 

[BionicCruiser]

That's a new one... not sure about nitrogen, but I thought you could still get CO2 that's not food grade... I just got mine filled and he asked about the usage. if it was all the same, I would not think he cared...hmmm.

 

[marcfj60]

Maybe it has something to do with pretty much all new cars coming with TPMS and recommended nitrogen fill.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Pappy-Do not do this. Here is why:

The volume of compressed gas in that cylinder with nitrogen will be a tiny fraction of the volume of gas with a CO2 fill. Remember CO2 undergoes a phase change to liquid and so the volume of gas that can be recovered is huge compared to what you would get back from just the compressed gas of nitrogen. I assume this is a tank you are using for offroad fills.

 

[Dumpolina]

I've used both.
Plus side of Nitrogen is it doesn't have to be upright, and no freeze issues.
But Nitrogen's small volume is not worth it.
Agree with CD above CO2 produces exponentially more volume from equal size cylinder. I hardly got one fill from the cylinder that in CO2 does 6 or 8 easy.
Argyle on Comanche does my CO2 refills, sometimes same day.
I bought one of their welding bottles, as they don't sell exchange bottles, which is a hassle. It seems to be the standard in Alb for smaller cylinders now.

 

[pappy]

But Nitrogen's small volume is not worth it.
Agree with CD above CO2 produces exponentially more volume from equal size cylinder. I hardly got one fill from the cylinder that in CO2 does 6 or 8 easy.

The volume of compressed gas in that cylinder with nitrogen will be a tiny fraction of the volume of gas with a CO2 fill.

That is what I recalled, and I did ask him this specific question. He said it was the same volume, but I remembered otherwise. There is a reason we use CO2 instead of N.

Thanks guys.

 

[evanz80]

I agree with sticking with CO2. Now the question - is there a preference between Tri-gas and Argyle? I am about due for a fill and I sure appreciated it when you could just take the tank to Tri-gas and have them fill it on the spot. Pappy mentioned having to leave the tank at the 2nd street Tri-gas location and pick it up again in a few days. Does anyone know if Argyle will fill while you wait? Dumpolina says "sometimes same day." That still sounds like you have to leave it and come back later?

 

[Dumpolina]

Argyle will do while you wait if they're not swamped.
Same or next day is a pretty good turn around.
Still, I don't get why no one does an exchange... All the shops in Washington did that, so no hassle

 

[pappy]

Dropped off the bottle Thursday afternoon. Picked it up today. $14.38. Bottle had a sticker that said "food grade."

 

[lurch]

Other consideration is the flavor of beer you'll be dispensing out of your keezer when the tank isn't being used in the truck

 

[pappy]

Other consideration is the flavor of beer you'll be dispensing out of your keezer when the tank isn't being used in the truck

I wish I had the time to take up micro-brewing. Except, I don't drink much. Ummm, that means I would have to give it all away.

Besides, we already have a brew master in the club.