Answer :
Final answer:
When handling compressed gas cylinders, valve protection caps must be securely in place to avoid damage and ensure safety. Caps should be tight enough to maintain a seal without causing undue stress, taking into account the physics of compressed gases. Air gaps in cylinders allow for safe expansion and contraction.
Explanation:
When transporting, moving, and storing Compressed Gas cylinders, valve protection caps shall be securely in place to prevent damage to the valve systems. The valve protection caps must be screwed on tight enough to maintain a seal but not so tight as to cause stress on the cylinder.
To understand the importance of this measure, we can consider that capping a tank too tightly to prevent overflow can be counterproductive. A tightly capped tank can leak or burst due to the high pressure buildup. This happens because both liquids and gases resist being compressed with significant force.
Therefore, rigid containers designed to hold compressed gases include air gaps, allowing for expansion and contraction without overstressing the material, which helps to prevent rupture. The protective cap serves as an additional safeguard during handling.
