Additional requirements for shipment of nonliquefied (permanent) compressed gases in specification cylinders.

Link to an amendment published at 72 FR 4455, January 31, 2007.

Link to an amendment published at 72 FR 55098, Sept. 28, 2007.

(a) Detailed filling requirements. Nonliquefied compressed gases (except gas in solution) for which filling requirements are not specifically prescribed in § 173.304a must be shipped subject to the requirements in this section and §§ 173.301, 173.301a, 173.302, and 173.305 in specification cylinders, as follows:

(1) DOT 3, 3A, 3AA, 3AL, 3B, 3E, 4B, 4BA and 4BW cylinders.

(2) DOT 3HT cylinders. These cylinders are authorized for aircraft use only and only for nonflammable gases. They have a maximum service life of 24 years from the date of manufacture. The cylinders must be equipped with frangible disc type pressure relief devices that meet the requirements of § 173.301(f). Each frangible disc must have a rated bursting pressure not exceeding 90 percent of the minimum required test pressure of the cylinder. Discs with fusible metal backing are not permitted. Specification 3HT cylinders may be offered for transportation only when packaged in accordance with § 173.301(a)(9).

(3) DOT 39 cylinders. When the cylinder is filled with a Division 2.1 material, the internal volume of the cylinder may not exceed 1.23 L (75 in3).

(4) DOT 3AX, 3AAX, and 3T cylinders are authorized for Division 2.1 and 2.2 materials and for carbon monoxide. DOT 3T cylinders are not authorized for hydrogen. When used in methane service, the methane must be a nonliquefied gas with a minimum purity of 98.0 percent methane and commercially free of corroding components.

(5) Aluminum cylinders manufactured in conformance with specifications DOT 39 and 3AL are authorized for oxygen only under the conditions specified in § 173.302(b).

(b) Special filling limits for DOT 3A, 3AX, 3AA, 3AAX, and 3T cylinders. A DOT 3A, 3AX, 3AA, 3AAX, and 3T cylinder may be filled with a compressed gas, other than a liquefied, dissolved, Division 2.1, or Division 2.3 gas, to a pressure 10 percent in excess of its marked service pressure, provided:

(1) The cylinder is equipped with a frangible disc pressure relief device (without fusible metal backing) having a bursting pressure not exceeding the minimum prescribed test pressure.

(2) The cylinder's elastic expansion was determined at the time of the last test or retest by the water jacket method.

(3) Either the average wall stress or the maximum wall stress does not exceed the wall stress limitation shown in the following table:

Type of steel Average wall stress limitation Maximum wall stress limitation I. Plain carbon steels over 0.35 carbon and medium manganese steels 53,000 58,000 II. Steels of analysis and heat treatment specified in spec. 3AA 67,000 73,000 III. Steels of analysis and heat treatment specified in spec. DOT-3T 87,000 94,000 IV. Plain carbon steels less than 0.35 carbon made prior to 1920 45,000 48,000

(i)(A) The average wall stress must be computed from the elastic expansion data using the following formula:

S = 1.7EE / KV−0.4P

Where: S = wall stress, pounds per square inch; EE = elastic expansion (total less permanent) in cubic centimeters; K = factor × 10 −7 experimentally determined for the particular type of cylinder being tested or derived in accordance with CGA C-5 (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter); V = internal volume in cubic centimeter (1 cubic inch = 16.387 cubic centimeters); P = test pressure, pounds per square inch.

(B) The formula in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A) of this section is derived from the formula in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section and the following:

EE = (PKVD2) / (D2−d2)

(ii) The maximum wall stress must be computed from the formula:

S = (P(1.3D2 + 0.4d2)) / (D2−d2)

Where: S = wall stress, pounds per square inch; P = test pressure, pounds per square inch; D = outside diameter, inches; d = D-2t, where t=minimum wall thickness determined by a suitable method.

(iii) Compliance with average wall stress limitation may be determined by computing the elastic expansion rejection limit in accordance with CGA C-5, by reference to data tabulated in CGA C-5, or by the manufacturer's marked elastic expansion rejection limit (REE) on the cylinder.

(4) An external and internal visual examination made at the time of test or retest shows the cylinder to be free from excessive corrosion, pitting, or dangerous defects.

(5) A plus sign (+) is added following the test date marking on the cylinder to indicate compliance with paragraphs (b) (2), (b)(3), and (b)(4) of this section.

(c) Carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide must be offered in a DOT 3, 3A, 3AX, 3AA, 3AAX, 3AL, 3E, or 3T cylinder having a minimum service pressure of 1800 psig. The pressure in a steel cylinder may not exceed 1000 psig at 21 °C (70 °F), except that if the gas is dry and sulfur free, the cylinder may be filled to 5/6 of the cylinder's service pressure or 2000 psig, whichever is less. A DOT 3AL cylinder may be filled to its marked service pressure. A DOT 3AL cylinder is authorized only when transported by motor vehicle, rail car, or cargo-only aircraft.

(d) Diborane and diborane mixtures. Diborane and diborane mixed with compatible compressed gas must be offered in a DOT 3AL1800 or 3AA1800 cylinder. The maximum filling density of the diborane may not exceed 7 percent. Diborane mixed with compatible compressed gas may not have a pressure exceeding the service pressure of the cylinder if complete decomposition of the diborane occurs. Cylinder valve assemblies must be protected in accordance with § 173.301(h).

(e) Fluorine. Fluorine must be shipped in specification 3A1000, 3AA1000, or 3BN400 cylinders without pressure relief devices and equipped with valve protection cap. The cylinder may not be charged to over 400 psig at 21 °C (70 °F) and may not contain over 2.7 kg (6 lbs) of gas.

[67 FR 51646, Aug. 8, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 75745, Dec. 31, 2003; 70 FR 34075, June 13, 2005; 71 FR 54395, Sept. 14, 2006]

Effective Date Notes: 1. At 72 FR 4455, Jan. 31, 2007, § 173.302a was amended by adding (f), effective Oct 1, 2007. For the convenience of the user, the added and revised text is set forth as follows: § 173.302a Additional requirements for shipment of nonliquefied (permanent) compressed gases in specification cylinders. (f) Compressed oxygen and oxidizing gases. A cylinder containing oxygen, compressed; compressed gas, oxidizing, n.o.s.; or nitrogen trifluoride is authorized for transportation by aircraft only when it meets the following requirements: (1) Only DOT specification 3A, 3AA, 3AL, and 3HT cylinders, and UN pressure receptacles ISO 9809-1, ISO 9809-2, ISO 9809-3 and ISO 7866 cylinders are authorized. (2) Cylinders must be equipped with a pressure relief device in accordance with § 173.301(f) and, beginning with the first requalification due after October 1, 2007: (i) The rated burst pressure of a rupture disc for DOT 3A, 3AA, and 3AL cylinders must be 100% of the cylinder minimum test pressure with a tolerance of −10 to plus zero percent; and (ii) The rated burst pressure of a rupture disc for a 3HT must be 90% of the cylinder minimum test pressure with a tolerance of −10 to plus zero percent. (3) After September 30, 2009, the cylinder must be placed in a rigid outer packaging that— (i) Conforms to the requirements of either part 178, subparts L and M of this subchapter at the Packing Group I or II performance level or the performance criteria in Air Transport Association (ATA) Specification No. 300 for a Category I Shipping Container; (ii) Is capable of passing, as demonstrated by design testing, the Flame Penetration Resistance Test in part III of Appendix F to 14 CFR part 25, modified as follows: (A) At least three specimens of the outer packagings materials must be tested; (B) Each test must be conducted on a flat 16 inch x 24 inch test specimen mounted in the horizontal ceiling position of the test apparatus to represent the outer packaging design; (C) Testing must be conducted on all design features (latches, seams, hinges, etc.) affecting the ability of the outer packaging to safely prevent the passage of fire in the horizontal ceiling position; and (D) There must be no flame penetration of any specimen within 5 minutes after application of the flame source and the maximum allowable temperature at a point 4 inches above the test specimen, centered over the burner cone, must not exceed 205 °C (400 ° F); and (iii) Prior to each shipment, passes a visual inspection that verifies that all features of the packaging are in good condition, including all latches, hinges, seams, and other features, and that the packaging is free from perforations, cracks, dents, or other abrasions that may negatively affect the flame penetration resistance and thermal resistance characteristics of the packaging. (4) After September 30, 2009, the cylinder and the outer packaging must be capable of passing, as demonstrated by design testing, the Thermal Resistance Test specified in Appendix D to part 178 of this subchapter. (5) The cylinder and the outer packaging must both be marked and labeled in accordance with part 172, subparts D and E of this subchapter. (6) A cylinder of compressed oxygen that has been furnished by an aircraft operator to a passenger in accordance with 14 CFR 121.574, 125.219, and 135.91 is excepted from the outer packaging requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this section. 2. At 72 FR 55098, Sept. 28, 2007, § 173.302a was amended by removing (f) effective Oct. 1, 2008 and the effectiveness of the amendment at 72 FR 4455, Jan. 31, 2007 was delayed until Oct. 1, 2008.