Filling the Portable Tank

 Most pressure chamber users will use Nitrogen (N2) "Welding Nitrogen" which is an inert gas and does not react with the plant sample.  This has been the industry norm for some time. If you do not already have nitrogen, a "Nurse Tank" can normally be bought or rented from a welding supply store or gas supply store at minimal cost. 

* IMPORTANT - if you have a Model 610 (with an internal tank) - click here to use different instructions.  This process is slightly different.

Filling the Portable Tank is easy but care must be taken while trans-filling high pressure nitrogen. First, you need to have 5 items in order to make a successful fill of the Portable Tank.  You need:

1. Portable Tank
2. Nurse Tank (Large filling tank)
3. 6 foot connector hose (filling hose)
4. Nurse Tank Adaptor
5. 1 1/8 inch standard wrench


Nurse Tank (left) - Portable Tank (right)

6 foot filling hose - Nurse Tank Adaptor (center)

Next, you will need to connect the two tanks together using the Nurse Tank Adaptor and the filling hose.


Connect the CGA-580 fitting (screw end) of the filling hose into the Portable Tank
Should be hand-tight.

Screw the Nurse Tank Adaptor into the Nurse Tank
Tighten with 1 1/8 inch standard wrench

Connect Nurse Tank Adaptor and Filling Hose
You will need to pull back on the coupler on the Nurse Tank Adaptor to get a proper connection
Pull gently on hose to ensure properly connected

Your system should now look like this

Ensure that the following valves are all shut before proceeding
Nurse Tank Valve, Portable Tank Valve and the Bleeder Valve
Now you are ready to start filling

Start by opening up the Nurse Tank Valve completely

This will put pressure down to the Portable Tank and will register on that gauge

  ++++ IMPORTANT ++++
*****  BARELY OPEN THE VALVE  *****
JUST CRACK IT OPEN
Allow the nitrogen to slowly fill the Portable Tank
You will hear the nitrogen as it fills the tank.  You should take about 4-5 minutes to fill the tank.  As the pressure equalizes, continue to open up the valve a little bit more.  Continue this process until the pressure has equalized completely.  If you open the valve up to quickly and let too much gas into the tank - the valve will become HEATED and will have problems or fail.  This is due to the gas compressing into the empty tank.

When the pressure has equalized, seal the Portable Tank first, then seal the Nurse Tank.  The bleeder valve will allow you to let the pressure excape from the hose.  Now you can disconnect your hose from the Nurse Tank Adaptor and connect it to your Pressure Chamber.  You are now ready to take measurements.
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