Air supply masks......air compressor

[hansonbrest]

Hi peepil.

I use filtered compressed air as breathable air when doing many welding processes (hardfacing,fluxcored,Air Arc gouging etc).

Wonder if anyone can help me with air compressor fume output....I have been told that air compressors can produce Carbon Monoxide from the pistons.

Of course i put the air through a 5 stage filtration pack from Dominic Hunter first though.
( 2 oil & water separators , 2x foam filters , then carbon particulate filter ).

I never feel sick , i never get headaches , but is there any health issues i am missing , is there any truth to the carbon monoxide thing , or is that a salesman's bullsh*t story ??

much obliged if anyone can share views on this.

thankyou.
Mark

 

[unclesyd]

Your compressor has to rated for breathing air unless the rules have changed. All our compressors were rated as such and we still used filters in case of a compressor failure.
We had a strict rule that no CO producing compressor could be used. On large outside jobs we purchased breathing air using manifold bottles mounted on skids. Even though certified, this air was checked prior to use.

On all jobs that required vessel entry we required periodic analysis of the air inside the vessel even though we always used the required forced ventilation and were using full face masks.

 

[hansonbrest]

thanks unclesyd ,......i assume that a "breathable" air compressor would have to be a roots type compressor then ?

I suppose it wouldnt hurt to go somehwere and get a fume sniffer and check the output air to be sure , health has to be number 1 priority.....sure am glad things have changed ...only a few years ago , companies i worked for would knowingly push you into hazardous environments without any protection , and would treat it like a joke if you complained....

If my compressor tests with any harmful gases, i guess i will have to look for the kind they use to fill divers aqualung bottles...that will comply ...but i didnt need the extra expense

thanks for reply
Mark

 

[unclesyd]

There are several different types of compressors that comply this requirement. I think one is made by Gast. I don’t have my literature anymore.

Depending on where you are located and amount of air you are going to use, the purchase of breathing air per job might be more economical. Check with the Welding supply store about availability..

There are several other ways to get by without breathing air if you are not in a confined space. Downdraft tables, movable exhaust hoses coupled with a dust mask is quite satisfactory.

 

[hansonbrest]

thanks for reply , unfortunately , 95 % of my work is mobile ,and i might travel as much as 10 hours from base, i only have a 6 ton truck , so its not feasable to carry manifold gas bottles on top of the 3-4 tons of welding equipment,generator ,oxy/LPG,shielding gases etc

The 17 CFM compressor option is lightweight (25 kg) and cheap-ish at $450.00 , plus another $600.00 for filtration and mask, plus i do alot of confined space work, in particular welding inside large pressure vessels , where its easy to run one hose to my waist for the air supply,and its not easy to keep setting up extractor fans in that case.

I am going to hunt around for a replacement compressor pump which is rated as 'breathable air',its probably my best option.

You sound like you have alot of years experience in the engineering field , your feedback is much appreciated.
I hope your expertise was rewarded in business in the financial sense

 

[unclesyd]

The Vessel Entry permit checks for combustible gases , then O2, CO2, CO, an other specific compounds depending on the area we are working in.

In the US it is require that you have a trained standby person at the entrance to assist whoever is the tank in case of an emergency. As you seem to be doing a lot welding confined spaces I would try to practice this particular aspect of the regulation. I’ll try to get more definitive information on the air flows and such.

Always use air powered equipment and 12 volt lights. If you are permitted higher voltage always use a Ground Fault Interrupter in the line.

Make sure you welding lead is in good shape, insulated wire and grips.

Take all the precautions you can and keep safe.