Frozen CO2 tank- Resturant needs some advice!

Question

At a resturant. We have a CO2 tank that's frozen solid and making some noise. My manager doesnt know what to do and is afraid it could blow up or something.

The boss said just pour hot water over it, but that somehow doesnt seem enough. What do we do??

Answer 1

Place it in a safe place in case an accident happens, then call the vendor as soon as possible and ask them what the correct procedure is. That way you've taken the correct steps to protect yourself and others in case of any accident.

Answer 2

Other than a possible slight leak it is normal.

Naturally accuring gases such CO2 have  a lower boiling  and vapor point.

In order for a gas to be liquified it is put under pressure. When the valve is open on the tank the pressure is released. The result is the liquid CO2 boils and vaporizes to a gas. The ice on the outside of the cylinder is just condensation from the environment and is harmless.

http://www.nuco2.com/services.html#Ancho...

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breef...

"...Rapidly releasing gas will lower the tank temperature dramatically (as you observed in your frozen kitchen) due to expansion cooling as the CO2 soaks up its "heat content of evaporation" from the surrounding environment, but we can ignore that tiny effect for normal slow CO2 usage rates. (This is also why aerosol cans sometimes get very cold to the touch if you spray them too quickly for too long.)..."

Thus we observe the rapid cooling and freezing of the atmospheric moisture contacting the tank. Relax and close the valve. Once the ice has melted (tank warms) you can open the valve. But slow the flow rate so the cooling effect does not form ice again. Also, take the connection-coupling off the tank, this is the regulator, and replaced the plastic gasket making sure it is seated properly.