Thread: Where to buy a pressurized tank?

I'm looking for a tank that I can fill with liquid and pressurize using a compressor. It doesn't need to be super strong, as the pressure will only be around 25psi. Any idea where I can find one or a suitable tank to make one?

The capacity should be about 20 liters, a steel drum should do the trick, but all the ones I've seen have been second hand and have been used to store nasty chemicals.

This will be part of a system I'm building to treat bamboo. The picture below shows how it's done. I've been able to find the gauge, valves etc., but am a little stuck on the tank.

A steel drum will explode at way less than 25 PSI, at that pressure you will need a properly designed pressure vessel.

You will do yourself an injury if you just pick up any old drum to use. I would just find a 2nd had compressor and use the reservoir tank off that.

Use a fire extinguisher tank.

or an old "Piknic" gas bottle

What about a normal Propane or Butane gaz tank that you would modify to add some input hole...

A recycled scuba diving tank , but they go for 10 or 12 liters usually...

Thanks for the helpful advice. I was a little wrong with the pressure, it's actually 1 bar, which is about 15psi.

Nonetheless, I will be looking for a proper pressure tank. It needs to have somewhere to place the liquid, which is why I'm not using the commonly available tanks.

Smithson, where do you live ?

Out of interest, what are you treating the bamboo for, and with what?

^ Replacement for steel in floor reinforcement?

^
or maybe to use for making pontoons ?

Pressurised bamboo has a common use in Laos dildos

I'm in Bkk, but will be treating the bamboo in Nakhon Nayok where I plan to use it for building. I will start with a sala and other simple things to see how it goes. The preservative will be a borax based solution, from my research this is effective and enviro friendly.

Regarding replacing steel for reinforcing, this is commonly done, but doesn't work as well as ppl think, because the bamboo and concrete don't bond. The problem is it swells when it comes into contact with the wet concrete and then shrinks leaving an air gap.

Also need a 'hydrometer', if anyone knows where to get one.

Originally Posted by Smithson

I'm in Bkk,

Ok never mind, too far away.
I have a large fire extinguisher with gauge and safety valve that the kids let off and we never refilled it.
You should consider one because it it designed to be pressurized in the top and the outlet coming up from the bottom of the tank.

You can get hydrometers here.
There are used in the making of Lao Khao

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by Smithson

I'm in Bkk,

Ok never mind, too far away.
I have a large fire extinguisher with gauge and safety valve that the kids let off and we never refilled it.
You should consider one because it it designed to be pressurized in the top and the outlet coming up from the bottom of the tank.

You can get hydrometers here.
There are used in the making of Lao Khao

If it isn't too heavy it could be posted, maybe we could work something out? What sort of capacity does it have? If it's 20 liters plus, sounds perfect.

Originally Posted by Smithson

Also need a 'hydrometer', if anyone knows where to get one.

Red Sea Hydrometer - 500.00 - ãªéÊÓËÃѺÇÑ´¤ÇÒÁà¤çÁ¹éÓ·ÐàÅ áÅÐÍسËÀÙÁÔ ãªéµÔ´ã¹µÙé»ÅÒ·ÐàÅ ÍèÒ¹¤èÒ§èÒ áÅÐáÁè¹ÂÓ
500 baht

Is that the range you need ?

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by Smithson

Also need a 'hydrometer', if anyone knows where to get one.

Red Sea Hydrometer - 500.00 - ãªéÊÓËÃѺÇÑ´¤ÇÒÁà¤çÁ¹éÓ·ÐàÅ áÅÐÍسËÀÙÁÔ ãªéµÔ´ã¹µÙé»ÅÒ·ÐàÅ ÍèÒ¹¤èÒ§èÒ áÅÐáÁè¹ÂÓ
500 baht

Is that the range you need ?

Not sure, the one I need will tell me the % of the solution. Looks similar to a thermometer.

Originally Posted by Smithson

If it isn't too heavy it could be posted,

It weighs 3.5 kilo but I think it's too small for you.
It's 40cm long and about 14cm in diameter.

Safe working pressure is 1.34Mpa which , if my maths is right, is 194 psi

Originally Posted by Smithson

Not sure, the one I need will tell me the % of the solution. Looks similar to a thermometer

Yes it does look lime a thermometer, but will read in different figures for different liguids specific density/gravity, you weill have to know what yours should read.

Here's a flotation type one for sale in Bangers

Hydrometer Alcohol 0-100 with thermometer 0-32 C - - Hydrometer Alcohol0-100 with thermometer 0-32 C

Originally Posted by Smithson

I plan to use it for building. I will start with a sala and other simple things to see how it goes.

Great, insect protection is important and Borax will help there. My experience with cane is that you need to provide protection from the elements most of all, particularly sun if you want it to last.
Wouldn't you be better soaking the tubes in a bath, or are you expecting that the pressure will push the solution through the node barriers? Sounds though that you have thought this through and I really have no idea about stuff all, but am interested in your project.

Originally Posted by Johnny Longprong

Wouldn't you be better soaking the tubes in a bath, or are you expecting that the pressure will push the solution through the node barriers? Sounds though that you have thought this through and I really have no idea about stuff all, but am interested in your project.

He's aiming for a High Pressure Sap Displacement system, replaces the sap in freshly felled stems with a preservative. A bit like embalming a body where the blood is replaced with embalming fluid.

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Originally Posted by Johnny Longprong

Wouldn't you be better soaking the tubes in a bath, or are you expecting that the pressure will push the solution through the node barriers? Sounds though that you have thought this through and I really have no idea about stuff all, but am interested in your project.

He's aiming for a High Pressure Sap Displacement system, replaces the sap in freshly felled stems with a preservative. A bit like embalming a body where the blood is replaced with embalming fluid.

That's it, this allows the bamboo to be treated much faster than soaking it.

Still having no luck with the tank. The fire extinguisher will probably work, the important thing is that it will pump the solution, rather than air, into the bamboo.

If you have liquid in the tank, and the outlet is at the lowest part of the tank, there is no way that anything but liquid will be expelled from the tank.

Yes, but where do you get such a tank? The fire extinguisher has a tube running to the bottom

Originally Posted by blackgang

If you have liquid in the tank, and the outlet is at the lowest part of the tank, there is no way that anything but liquid will be expelled from the tank.