Re: [APML] Forming gas storage question

[Robert Reeves <reeves10@swbell.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "John C. Mirtle" <mirtle.j@home.com>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2001 7:59 PM
Subject: [APML] Forming gas storage question


> After putting it off for many years, I am finally looking into hypering my
> own film. After talking to the local gas supplier, I am a bit puzzled.
> According to a friend of mine who has been doing my tech-pan for the last
> decade, forming gas should be stored in a chrome-moly tank, and the
> regulator should be stainless. The idea is that these materials will help
> keep the hydrogen from slowly dissipating and leaving just nitrogen in the
> tank. According to my gas supplier, all I need is a regular steel tank and
a
> brass regulator.
> Can anyone comment based on their own experiences? Thanks!
>
> John Mirtle

I haven't hypered film for a few years now, but when I did, I used the same
big tank of forming gas for about 15 years.  It was in a regular steel tank
with a brass regulator.  I know it was big sucker because it was a whole lot
easier to bring it home when I was in my late 30's than it was to take it
back to gas supply house when I was in my early 50's!  I also wondered about
the two gasses separating and ultimately ending up with just nitrogen.
Another fellow on the APML list explained the physics of it to me and
basically the continuous random motions and collisions of the gas molecules
keeps the gas mixed pretty well forever.  Don't worry about the hydrogen
venting off first.  It won't happen.  If there is a slight leak over time,
you just loose forming gas, not one of its component gasses.

Robert Reeves                      reeves10@swbell.net
520 Rittiman Rd.                   www.robertreeves.com
San Antonio, Texas 78209    210-828-9036
USA                                     29.484  98.440  200 meters


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