EP4197626A1 - Odorising insert for expanding a gas supply system, gas supply system equipped with the odorising insert, and method for odorising a working gas - Google Patents

Abstract

Known gas supply systems for supplying a consumer with a working gas, in particular a working gas for cutting and welding, such as from the group that includes oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gas, have a compressed gas tank containing the working gas under pressure, a compressed gas tank shut-off valve and a pressure reducing valve connected to the shut-off valve on the discharge side. If the working gas is enriched with an odorant in the compressed gas container, there is a risk of corrosion of the compressed gas container material, in particular stress corrosion cracking of the basic body of the pressure container. To solve this problem, it is proposed that the gas supply system (100, 200, 300) comprises an odorization insert (10, 20) which has an odorant outlet (3, 23) with a media connection (5, 25) which a media connection counterpart (46, 49a, 50) in the pressure reducing valve (40), to an inlet pressure line (44a) or to an outlet pressure line (51), the inlet pressure line (44a) between the shut-off valve (32) and the pressure reducing valve (40 ), and the back pressure line (51) runs between the pressure reducing valve (40) and the consumer (51a).

Description

Technical background

The invention relates to an odorization insert for expanding a gas supply system for supplying a consumer with a working gas, in particular a working gas for cutting and welding, for example from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gas, the gas supply system having a Compressed gas tank containing working gas under pressure, a compressed gas tank shut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve connected to the shut-off valve on the discharge side.

The invention also relates to a gas supply system for supplying a consumer with a working gas, in particular a working gas for cutting and welding, for example from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gas, the gas supply system having a compressed gas tank containing the working gas under pressure , a compressed gas tank shut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve connected to the shut-off valve on the discharge side.

In addition, the invention relates to a method for odorizing a working gas for cutting and welding, such as from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and welding shielding gases, by adding an odorant contained in a compressed gas container to the working gas , which comprises a compressed gas container shut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve connected to the shut-off valve on the discharge side.

As a result of leakage, carelessness or otherwise, a working gas from a compressed gas source, the fitting, a hose line and the like in escape into the atmosphere creating a fire, explosion, poisoning, asphyxiation or other hazard.

For example, the use of oxygen in closed rooms can lead to an unnoticed escape of oxygen. Since oxygen from the compressed gas cylinder is heavier than air, it accumulates in lower-lying rooms, which can lead to a dangerous concentration of more than 24% by volume, which causes the rate of combustion to double.

Welding shielding gases are gases or gas mixtures that are used as a protective and process-influencing atmosphere during welding. Depending on the application, individual gases such as inert gases, noble gases, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur hexafluoride and gas mixtures with one or more inert gases and their mixtures with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are used as protective gases. Shielding gases that are heavier or lighter than air can accumulate in rooms or sinks and displace the ambient air, as can occur in particular in boiler construction or shipbuilding. Depending on whether the gas or gas mixture is lighter or heavier than air, the danger lurks on the floor or under the "ceiling" of the room. By odorizing the oxygen or the protective gas, such dangerous gas accumulations can be made noticeable to a user by a special smell.

Working gases for thermal cutting and welding, such as oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gases are usually provided in transportable compressed gas containers. These are, for example, gas cylinders, cylinder bundles and other transport containers for medical and technical gases, including small cryogenic containers (there are very few mixtures here), bundles, composite cylinders or carboys. These usually have a more or less spherical or cylindrical container wall and a container head with a gas extraction fitting. As a rule, the pressurized gas container is made of metal, such as aluminum, steel or composite material, and the gas extraction fitting is made of brass, for example.

State of the art

In order to detect leaks in the public gas supply with natural gas or liquid gases, it has long been known to add organic sulfur compounds, such as thioethers and mercaptans, to the working gas as odorants. Various methods and devices are known for the odorization of gases. On the one hand, the odorant can be metered into a gas line carrying the working gas by means of a pump. These devices require a power connection also locally with batteries.

Devices in which the addition of the odorant is controlled by evaporation avoid this disadvantage. In the AT 502 309 B1 a currentless, quantity-controlled evaporation of the odorant is known. In this case, a partial flow of a carrier gas is taken from a first gas line at higher pressure and passed through a container filled with the odorant. The carrier gas saturated with the odorant is reduced to a pressure adapted to the pressure of the working gas to be odorized and introduced into a second gas line under low pressure. The flow rate of the carrier gas through the odorant container is controlled without current by means of a gas pressure-controlled valve depending on the measured flow rate of the non-odorized gas in the second gas line, with the control gas being derived from one of the gas lines. The quantity-controlled evaporation of the odorant is thus based on the pressure difference between the first and the second gas line.

The DE 197 48 212 A1 discloses an addition of odorants to inert gases or protective welding gas, which is transported and stored as a compressed gas in compressed gas containers such as compressed gas cylinders with pressures of generally 100 to 350 bar. The odorant is also an organic sulfur compound. Examples include alkane disulfides and thioethers. The odorized shielding gas is produced by mixing the odorant and shielding gas or by diluting a premix of the odorant in a gas with the shielding gas.

In the WO 1990/06170 A1 describes a method for the odorization of working gas that is delivered to consumers in a compressed gas container. As Examples of working gases are oxygen, odorless toxic gases, fuel gases such as natural gas, propane, butane or city gas, and inert gases. In the event of larger leaks, the latter can displace the oxygen in the air so that there is a risk of suffocation. Organic sulfur compounds such as dimethyl sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene and methyl mercaptan are specified as odorants. The odorant is dissolved in a condensed gas, preferably in carbon dioxide, propane, butane, sulfur hexafluoride or nitrous oxide, in the pressure vessel. The solution comprises a liquid phase and a gas phase, with the odorant being evaporated from the liquid phase and fed to the consumer gas.

From the DE 197 45 850 A1 an odorant for oxygen gas mixtures with an oxygen content of more than 90% by volume is known, which contains sulfur-containing compounds, preferably sulfides and thiols, as odorants. These substances have sufficient stability in oxygen and they have a very intense odor. It is reported that sulphurous compounds in oxygen are much more persistent in aluminum cylinders than in steel or stainless steel cylinders.

Technical task

If the working gas is enriched with an odorant in the compressed gas container, there is a risk of corrosion of the compressed gas container material, in particular stress corrosion cracking of the basic body of the pressure container. Once a compressed gas container has been contaminated, it can no longer be used for other purposes, especially since residues of the odorant can remain in the container or on the container wall.

For some applications, permanent odorization of the working gas can be undesirable or unnecessary compared to the overall scope of use. This applies, for example, to the odorization of protective welding gases outdoors or in open spaces.

The invention manifests itself in an odorization insert, a gas supply system and a method for odorizing a technical Gases for thermal cutting and welding, in particular oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene or an inert welding gas.

It is based on the object of enabling odorization for a working gas for thermal cutting and welding that is provided in a compressed gas container, which avoids corrosion and/or contamination of the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention is also intended to solve the problem of being able to adapt the odorization of the working gas to the respective circumstances and, in particular, to use it only when necessary; in particular, it should only be possible to build up a high level of safety where it appears necessary.

Summary of the Invention

With regard to the odorization insert for a gas supply system, this object is achieved by an insert having the features of claim 1.

The gas supply system serves to supply a consumer with a working gas. It comprises a compressed gas tank which contains the working gas under pressure and which has a shut-off valve which is connected to a pressure-reducing valve on the discharge side--seen in the flow direction of the working gas. The connection between the shut-off valve and the pressure-reducing valve, or at least part of this connection, is formed by a "pre-pressure line". The pressure reducing valve in turn has a gas outlet which is connected to a consumer for the working gas, such as a welding device or an oxygen lance or an autogenous cutting torch. The connection between the pressure reducing valve and consumer or at least a part of this connection is formed by a "rear pressure line". The inlet pressure line and the back pressure line thus form gas line sections of a gas line system of the gas supply system, which connects to the compressed gas tank shut-off valve on the discharge side.

The odorization insert according to the invention is designed and provided for use in such a gas supply system. For example, it can be a brand new gas supply system for oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene or welding inert gases can be added as an accessory, or it can be pre-installed at the factory as additional equipment for the gas supply system, or it can be retrofitted into an existing gas supply system for the purpose of odorizing the working gas.

The odorant can be in gaseous or liquid form. The odorization insert comprises, for example, a container containing the odorant and in particular a pressure container containing the odorant under pressure or a gas cartridge. It has an odorant outlet designed as a media connection or equipped with a media connection. This media connection can be connected to a media connection counterpart, which is present either in the pressure reducing valve or on a supply pressure line or on a back pressure line. The form line is the gas line between the shut-off valve and the pressure reducing valve or a section of this gas line. And the back pressure line is the gas line between the pressure reducing valve and the consumer or a part of this gas line.

The connection between media connection and media connection counterpart is preferably detachable and is designed, for example, as a screw connection or gas-tight coupling.

Viewed in the flow direction of the working gas, all of the named connection locations for the odorization application are behind the compressed gas tank, i.e. in the discharge-side gas line system of the gas supply system. The odorant therefore does not come into contact with the pressurized gas container, so that corrosion, contamination or other impairment of the container material by the odorant is ruled out.

At the respective connection point, only downstream leaks can be detected, but no upstream leaks. Therefore, the connection points mentioned above differ in terms of their ability to detect leaks in the working gas. The closer the respective connection point is to the consumer, the fewer leaks are recorded, but the more precisely and quickly the actual location of the leak can be identified.

For example, all possible leaks in the line area between (and on) this connection and the consumer can be detected by means of the odorization insert with the media connection on the inlet pressure line, i.e. in particular also leaks in the pressure reducing valve.

Using the odorization insert connected in the pressure reducing valve, all possible leaks in the line area between (and at) this connection and the consumer can be detected, but no leaks between the shut-off valve and the pressure reducing valve. Pressure reducing valves typically have a relief valve associated with the downstream pressure area. The odorization insert can be arranged there instead of the relief valve or via a T-line piece together with the relief valve.

Any leaks in the line area between (and on) this connection and the consumer can be identified immediately by means of the odorization insert connected to the back pressure line.

In a preferred embodiment, the odorant insert is self-sufficient and mobile, and it includes an odorant container that contains the odorant as a gas or as a liquid.

The odorization insert is self-sufficient in the sense that it includes all of the components and parts required for its intended operation and that, apart from the connection to the gas supply system, it has no connection to a stationary odorization or other gas supply system. It is mobile in the sense that the odorant container, which has the odorant outlet, can be closed so that the odorant enclosed therein cannot escape during transport. The closure of the odorant outlet is ensured, for example, by a closing valve, which first opens against spring pressure when the odorant container is used properly. And it has a weight of less than 50 kg, preferably less than 25 kg, particularly preferably less than 10 kg and in particular less than 5 kg.

This self-sufficiency and mobility of the odorization insert simplifies its installation in the gas supply system and facilitates demand-oriented, temporary odorization of oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene or of Welding shielding gases and other technical gases for welding, cutting and heating from transportable compressed gas containers.

In a preferred embodiment of the odorant insert, the odorant is sealed in the odorant container under pressure.

The odorant is present as a gas or liquid (liquefied gas) in the odorant container, which is designed, for example, as a refillable pressure container or as a pressure container designed for single use or as a gas cartridge. In the simplest case, it only has one media connection at the odorant outlet and otherwise no other media connection. Except for a possible refill with the odorant, whereby the lockable media connection of the odorant outlet can also be used for this purpose. The odorant container is, for example and preferably, closed on all sides apart from the odorant outlet.

These embodiments of the odorant container are compact, transportable and particularly easy to handle. They require little space and can be used in the gas line system of the gas supply system even in cramped conditions and switched on quickly if necessary.

The odorant container contains either only the odorant or—preferably—a carrier gas and the odorant are enclosed therein. The carrier gas is used, for example, to take up and transport away odorant molecules that have changed from a liquid phase to the gas phase. The carrier gas, which can also be present as a gas or in liquid form, is CO ₂ , for example. CO ₂ is used as the preferred carrier gas because it is liquefied under pressure similar to propane. In the liquid phase, the odorant can be evenly dissolved and compressed more easily and precisely, even in small quantities.

In another preferred embodiment of the odorization insert, the odorant container is designed in such a way that the working gas flow or a partial flow of the working gas or a carrier gas flows through it and releases the odorant to the respective gas flow. If necessary, the odorant container is designed, for example, as a flushing body has an input and an output for the working gas and/or for a carrier gas. If necessary, the outlet forms the odorant outlet.

The odorant container is preferably either refillable or designed for disposable use.

Particularly with regard to a self-sufficient configuration and a temporary, demand-controlled use, the odorization insert is preferably designed for operation without electricity.

The odorant can be metered in continuously or from time to time. An embodiment of the odorization insert that has a manually or electrically actuated closing device for closing and opening the odorant outlet is particularly suitable for discontinuous dosing, the manually or electrically actuated closing device preferably comprising a throttle valve arranged at the odorant outlet.

The odorant outlet can be completely or partially closed and opened by means of the closing device. The closing device can be opened or closed automatically. For example, the opening can take place in a controlled manner after a specified duration of a welding process has elapsed or as a function of an environmental parameter, such as the composition of the atmosphere, the temperature or another environmental parameter.

The embodiment of the odorization insert with an automatically adjustable closing device is advantageously equipped with a power supply unit. The power supply unit is preferably an energy store, such as a primary or secondary battery. In addition to this, the odorization insert can also be equipped with sensors; for example environmental sensors for temperature, atmosphere or humidity.

With regard to the gas supply system for supplying a consumer with a working gas, in particular a working gas for thermal cutting and welding, in particular from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gas, the above Object solved by a gas supply system with the features of claim 10.

The gas supply system according to the invention comprises a compressed gas tank that contains the working gas under pressure, a pressure reducing valve and an odorization insert.

The pressurized gas tank has a pressurized gas tank shut-off valve, which is connected to the pressure-reducing valve on the discharge side—seen in the direction of flow of the working gas.

The odorization insert has an odorant outlet designed as a media connection, which is connected to a counterpart media connection, the counterpart media connection being provided either in the pressure-reducing valve, on a supply pressure line or on a back-pressure line. The pre-pressure line is the connection line between the shut-off valve and the pressure reducing valve or a section of this connection line. And the back pressure line is the connection line between the pressure reducing valve and the consumer or a section of this connection line.

The odorization insert can be added to the gas supply system according to the invention for oxygen or protective welding gases as an accessory for subsequent installation, or it can be pre-installed at the factory as additional equipment for the gas supply system.

The gas-tight connection between media connection and media connection counterpart is preferably detachable and is designed, for example, as a screw connection or gas-tight coupling. All of the connection points mentioned for the odorization insert are behind the compressed gas tank, viewed in the direction of flow of the working gas. The odorant therefore does not come into contact with the compressed gas container, so that corrosion or other impairment of the container material by the odorant is ruled out.

At the respective connection point, only downstream leaks can be detected, but no upstream leaks. Therefore, the connection points mentioned above differ in terms of their ability to detect leaks in the working gas. In this way, fewer leaks are detected the closer they are the respective connection point is at the consumer, but on the other hand the position of a leak can be identified all the more precisely and quickly.

For example, all possible leaks in the line area between (and at) this connection and the consumer can be detected by means of the odorization insert, whose media connection is connected to the admission pressure line, ie in particular also leaks in the pressure reducing valve.

In the case of the odorization insert connected in the pressure-reducing valve, the odorant outlet opens into a gas-carrying bore that is fluidically connected to the valve outlet of the pressure-reducing valve. Using this odorization insert, any leaks in the line area between (and on) this connection and the consumer can be detected, but no leaks between the shut-off valve and the pressure-reducing valve. Pressure reducing valves typically have a relief valve associated with the downstream pressure area. The odorization insert can be arranged there instead of the relief valve or via a T-line piece together with the relief valve. The design for mounting the relief valve in the pressure-reducing valve body advantageously has a media connection counterpart for gas-tight connection with the media connection of the odorization insert.

Any leaks in the line area between (and on) this connection and the consumer can be identified immediately by means of the odorization insert connected to the back pressure line.

The odorant insert is preferably designed as a self-sufficient and mobile odorant container which has the odorant outlet and in which the odorant is enclosed as a gas or as a liquid under pressure. The odorant container can be refilled, for example, or is designed for disposable use.

Advantageous configurations of the separate odorization insert according to the invention are explained above. These explanations apply equally to the odorization insert, which is part of the gas supply system according to the invention.

With regard to the method for odorizing a working gas for thermal cutting and welding, in particular from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gases, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a method specified in claim 12.

In this case, an odorant is only added to the working gas, which is contained in a compressed gas container, after the working gas has been removed from the compressed gas container.

Because the odorant is added to the working gas in the discharge-side gas line system of the gas supply system, the odorant does not come into contact with the compressed gas container, so that corrosion or other impairment of the container material by the odorant is ruled out.

The odorant is preferably released from an odorant insert either into a gas-carrying bore in the pressure-reducing valve, into a pre-pressure line or into a back-pressure line, with the pressure-reducing valve being connected on the discharge side to a shut-off valve of the compressed gas tank, and the pre-pressure line between the shut-off valve and the pressure-reducing valve, and the Back pressure line is connected between the pressure reducing valve and the consumer.

The odorant is metered in continuously or from time to time and preferably as required from an odorant insert that is equipped with a self-sufficient and mobile odorant container, such as a pressure container or a gas cartridge. The odorant is enclosed as a gas or as a liquid under pressure in the odorant container. The odorant container is, for example, refillable or designed for disposable use.

The method according to the invention can be carried out with a gas supply system according to the invention. Advantageous configurations of the method using the odorization insert and the gas supply system result from the above explanations, which are hereby also included for the odorization method.

definitions gas supply system

The gas supply system includes a compressed gas tank that contains the working gas to be odorized, which is closed by a shut-off valve and has a gas line system on the delivery side to the shut-off valve, in which a pressure-reducing valve is used. The part of the gas line system that is arranged upstream of the pressure-reducing valve in the flow direction of the working gas consists of a pre-pressure line or it includes a pre-pressure line. The part of the gas line system that is downstream of the pressure-reducing valve in the flow direction of the working gas consists of a back-pressure line or it includes a back-pressure line. The pressure reducing valve is usually connected directly to the compressed gas tank. In the case of gas supply systems with several pressure-reducing valves connected in series, the pressure-reducing valve closest to the compressed gas tank is decisive; all other pressure-reducing valves connected upstream of the consumer, which may be present at separate gas extraction points, for example, are to be attributed to the back-pressure line.

consumer

The gas supply system serves to supply a consumer with a working gas that is charged with an odorant either permanently or as required. The consumer is a technical device such as a welding machine, an oxygen lance or an autogenous cutting torch.

odorization insert

The odorization insert is designed to be connected to the gas line system of the gas supply system. It includes, for example, a container containing the odorant, for example a flow-through container through which a gas (working gas or carrier gas) flows that is charged with the odorant inside the container, or it includes a pressure container or a gas cartridge containing the odorant under pressure.

In all configurations, the odorant insert has an odorant outlet for the odorant or for a gas (working gas or carrier gas) charged with the odorant.

Odorant outlet with media connection / media connection counterpart

The odorant outlet is used to deliver gaseous or liquid odorant or a gas stream loaded with the odorant from the odorant insert into the gas line system of the gas supply system. The odorant outlet is formed or comprises a first part of a mechanical connection system, referred to herein as a "media port". The media connection corresponds to a second part of the mechanical connection system, which is referred to here as the "media connection counterpart", and which is arranged in the pressure reducing valve or on a gas line of the gas line system carrying working gas. "Media connection" and "media connection counterpart" together form a positive or non-positive, gas-tight and detachable connection between the gas line system of the gas supply system and the odorization insert.

Working gas / shielding gas / carrier gas

The technical gas or gas mixture for thermal cutting and welding to be loaded with the odorant is referred to as the working gas; in particular oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene or protective welding gas.

Welding shielding gas is a gas or gas mixture that is used to create an atmosphere that protects the weld metal during welding. Depending on the application, inert gases such as noble gases, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or combustion products of hydrocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride and gas mixtures with one or more inert gases are used as protective welding gases. The oxygen content of the protective welding gases is no more than 12% by volume of oxygen, preferably no more than 10% by volume, particularly preferably no more than 5% by volume, in particular no more than 3% by volume of oxygen.

A carrier gas is a gas in which the odorant present in the liquid phase or in the gaseous phase is dissolved or mixed with it and by means of which it is transported to the working gas. The carrier gas and the working gas can differ in their chemical composition.

example

Figur 1

eine erste Ausführungsform eines Odorierungs-Einsatzes für die Odorierung eines Arbeitsgases in Form einer Gaskartusche,

Figur 2

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Odorierungs-Einsatzes für die Odorierung eines Arbeitsgases in Form einer Durchspülbehälters,

Figur 3

eine erste Ausführungsform einer Gasversorgungsanlage mit einem zwischen einem Absperrventil und einem Druckminderventil montierten Odorierungs-Einsatz, partiell als Explosionsdarstellung,

Figur 4

eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Gasversorgungsanlage mit einem im Druckminderventil montierten Odorierungs-Einsatz, partiell als Explosionsdarstellung, und

Figur 5

eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Gasversorgungsanlage mit einem zwischen dem Druckminderventil und einem Verbraucher montierten Odorierungs-Einsatz, partiell als Explosionsdarstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and a drawing. It shows in detail in a schematic representation

figure 1

a first embodiment of an odorization insert for the odorization of a working gas in the form of a gas cartridge,

figure 2

a further embodiment of an odorization insert for the odorization of a working gas in the form of a flushing tank,

figure 3

a first embodiment of a gas supply system with an odorization insert mounted between a shut-off valve and a pressure-reducing valve, partially as an exploded view,

figure 4

a second embodiment of a gas supply system with an odorization insert mounted in the pressure reducing valve, partially as an exploded view, and

figure 5

a third embodiment of a gas supply system with an odorization insert mounted between the pressure reducing valve and a consumer, partially as an exploded view.

In the figure 1 shown, first embodiment of the odorization insert 10 according to the invention consists essentially of a gas cartridge 2, which contains an odorant. The gas cartridge 2 has an odorant outlet 3 which includes a gas pipe 4 . The gas pipe 4 is closed by a closing valve (not shown) in the non-installed state. The gas pipe 4 is connected to a media connection part 5, which comprises a sintered metal insert 6 in the exemplary embodiment, by means of a union nut 7 in a media connection counterpart on the side Gas supply system can be installed. When installed, the closing valve opens so that the odorant is released through the porous sintered metal insert 6 into the working gas flow.

The gas cartridge 2 consists of metal and contains the odorant in liquid form and a carrier gas in the form of carbon dioxide at a nominal pressure which corresponds approximately to the line pressure of the working gas. Depending on the positioning of the gas cartridge, this is typically in the range of 2 to 200 bar. In the case of compressed gas cylinders, the working pressure is typically in the range from 50 to 200 bar, in exceptional cases up to 300 bar. After the gas pressure regulator, the working pressure is typically 2 to 50 bar.

Apart from the closable odorant outlet 3, the gas cartridge 2 is closed on all sides, has a filling volume of 250 ml and weighs less than 5 kg. The odorant is a commercially available mercaptan (ethanethiol). This is a foul-smelling gas and is used to odorize a working gas in the form of oxygen. Only "foul-smelling" substances are permitted for the odorization of oxygen. With a working gas in the form of welding shielding gas, the choice is larger.

The gas cartridge 2 is intended to be mounted on a gas line of a gas supply system carrying a working gas, which provides the working gas in a compressed gas tank, so that the odorant can be released via the odorant outlet 3 to the working gas in the gas line, which then is supplied to a consumer. This is explained in more detail below.

figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an odorization insert 20, which essentially consists of a cylindrical flushing container 22 containing an odorant in liquid form. The flushing tank 22 has an odorant outlet 23 on one end, which includes a gas pipe 24 which is connected to a screw connection element 25 which is designed as a threaded bolt 26 with a hexagonal body 27 in the exemplary embodiment. The opposite end face of the flushing tank 22 forms a gas inlet 21 which comprises a further gas line pipe 24 and a further screw connection element which is designed as a screw nut 28 .

When not installed, both the odorant outlet 23 and the gas inlet 21 are closed by a closing valve (not shown), which only opens against spring pressure when the odorant container is properly used in a gas supply system.

The odorant outlet 23 and the gas inlet 21 can alternatively to the screw connection elements 25; 28 can also be equipped with quick gas couplings.

The flushing tank 22 is intended to be installed in a gas line system of a gas supply system for the purpose of odorizing a working gas, which makes the working gas available in a compressed gas tank. For odorization, a gas stream is introduced into the flushing container 22 via the gas inlet 21 and the gas stream loaded with the odorant is fed to a consumer via the odorant outlet 23 . The gas flow is the working gas to be odorized or a partial flow of the working gas or a carrier gas. This is explained in more detail below.

Both the odorant container 2 of figure 1 as well as the odorant container 22 of figure 2 can be designed both for single use and as reusable containers for refilling odorant. For refilling, odorant is filled in under pressure from a refill container via the respective gas outlet (3; 23).

Unless in the Figures 3 to 5 the same reference numbers are used as in FIGS Figures 1 and 2 , these reference numerals designate identical or equivalent components and components of the odorization inserts 10, 20 as explained in more detail above.

figure 3 12 schematically shows an embodiment of the gas supply system 100 according to the invention. It is used to supply a consumer with an odorized working gas, in particular with odorized oxygen or an odorized protective welding gas.

The gas supply system 100 comprises a compressed gas bottle 30, a pressure reducing valve 40 and an odorization insert 20.

The compressed gas bottle 30 contains the working gas under a high pressure of, for example, 100 bar. It has a compressed gas tank 31, which is closed by a shut-off valve 32, and a gas connection 33, via which the working gas is discharged from the compressed gas tank 31 at a preset admission pressure.

The pressure-reducing valve 40 is typically equipped with a valve inlet 41, a valve outlet 42, an adjustment wheel 43 for the outlet pressure, and two pressure gauges 45, 46 for displaying the admission pressure and outlet pressure. The valve inlet 41 comprises a gas line section 44a and a screw nut 46. The valve outlet 42 comprises a gas line section 44b, a hexagonal body section 47 and a threaded bolt 48. A relief valve (not visible in the figure) (reference number 49a in figure 4 ) formed, which is closed with a threaded plug 49.

In the exemplary embodiment, the consumer is a welding device (symbolized by reference number 51a), which is connected to the gas supply system 100, more precisely: to the valve outlet 42 of the pressure-reducing valve 40, via a flexible gas line 51 by means of a screw connection 50.

The gas inlet 21 of the odorization insert 20 is screwed onto the gas connection 33 and the odorant outlet 23 is connected to the valve inlet 41 of the pressure reducing valve 40 . The nut 28 of the gas inlet 21 corresponds to the threaded bolt 34 of the gas connection 33, and the nut 46 of the valve inlet 41 corresponds to the threaded bolt 26 of the odorant outlet 23.

In an alternative embodiment of the gas supply system 100, gas quick couplings are provided instead of the screw connections (26; 28; 34; 46), by means of which the odorization insert 20 is inserted into the gas line system of the gas supply system.

The valve inlet 41 and in particular the gas line section 44a are to be assigned to the admission pressure area of the gas line system of the gas supply system 100 . The odorant outlet 23 of the odorant insert 20 is thus on the discharge side of the compressed gas cylinder 30 through a gas-tight screw connection in the Gas line system of the gas supply system 100 inserted, which is assigned to the form area (41; 44a).

As a result of its passage through the odorization insert 20, the working gas absorbs odorant. Leaks that occur in the line area of the gas line system on the upstream side, ie between (and at) the connection point of the odorization insert 20 and the consumer 50, can be noticed in this way. This includes, in particular, leaks in the pressure reducing valve 40.

Unless in the figures 4 and 5 the same reference numbers are used as in figure 3 , these reference numbers designate identical or equivalent parts and components of the gas supply system as those referred to above figure 3 is explained in more detail.

figure 4 12 schematically shows a further embodiment of the gas supply system 200 according to the invention for supplying a consumer with an odorized working gas, in particular with odorized oxygen or an odorized protective gas for welding.

The gas supply system 200 comprises a compressed gas bottle 30, a pressure reducing valve 40 and an odorization insert 10.

The valve inlet 41 of the pressure reducing valve 40 is directly connected to the compressed gas tank gas connection 33 and the consumer (51a) is connected to its valve outlet 42 via a flexible gas line 51 by a screw connection 50 .

In contrast to the embodiment of figure 3 the threaded plug 49 is removed so that a valve body opening 49a originally intended for a relief valve is accessible from above. As in figure 4 indicated by dashed lines, the valve body opening 49a is connected to a bore 49b, which in turn fluidly connects the valve inlet 41 and the valve outlet 42.

The odorant outlet 3 with the gas pipe 4 of the odorization insert 10 is screwed into the valve body opening 49a so that the valve insert 6 protrudes into the valve body opening 49a and this opening is tightly closed with the union nut 7 . When inserted into the valve body opening 49a, the closing valve (not shown) of the odorization insert 10 opens the odorant outlet 3 of the gas pressure cartridge 2.

The odorizing insert 10 is thus inserted into the gas line system of the gas supply system 100 on the discharge side of the compressed gas bottle 30 through a gas-tight screw connection and is ready to release the odorant to the working gas flowing through the bore 49b.

The carrier gas CO ₂ contained under pressure in the gas pressure cartridge 2 continuously absorbs odorant from the liquid phase. As a result of the excess pressure compared to the gas pressure present in the bore 49b, carrier gas loaded with the odorant is therefore permanently released into the working gas. Leaks that occur in the line area of the gas line system on the upstream side, ie between (and at) the connection point of the odorization insert 10 and the consumer 50, can be noticed in this way.

The odorization insert with the gas pressure cartridge 2 is preferably designed as a reusable container for refilling odorant. For refilling, the odorant is filled in under pressure from a refill container via the gas outlet 3 .

As an alternative to this, the odorization insert with the pressurized gas cartridge 2 is intended for single use and is replaced as soon as the overpressure in the cartridge has fallen below a predetermined threshold value.

figure 5 12 schematically shows a further embodiment of the gas supply system 300 according to the invention for supplying a consumer with an odorized working gas, in particular with odorized oxygen or an odorized protective welding gas.

The gas supply system 300 comprises a compressed gas bottle 30, a pressure reducing valve 40 and an odorization insert 20.

The valve inlet 41 of the pressure reducing valve 40 is directly connected to the compressed gas tank gas connection 33 here. The gas inlet 21 of the odorization insert 20 is screwed onto the valve outlet 42 of the pressure reducing valve 40 . And to the odorant outlet 23 of the odorant insert 20, a flexible gas line 51 is connected to the consumer (51a) by a screw connection 50.

The valve outlet 42 and in particular the flexible gas line 51 are to be assigned to the downstream pressure area of the gas line system of the gas supply system 100 . The odorant outlet 23 of the odorization insert 20 is thus inserted into the gas line system of the gas supply system 100 on the delivery side to the compressed gas bottle 30 by a gas-tight screw connection, which is assigned to the back pressure area (42; 44b).

In an alternative embodiment of the gas supply system 300, quick couplings are provided instead of the screw connections for the assembly of the odorization insert 20 in the gas line system.

As a result of its passage through the odorization insert 20, the working gas absorbs odorant. Leaks that occur in the line area of the gas line system on the upstream side, ie between (and at) the connection point of the odorization insert 20 and the consumer 50, can thus be noticed very quickly and identified reliably.

Claims (13)

Odorization insert (10, 20) for expanding a gas supply system (100, 200, 300) for supplying a consumer (51a) with a working gas, in particular a working gas for cutting and welding, such as from the group consisting of oxygen, hydrogen, propane , acetylene and protective welding gas, the gas supply system (100, 200, 300) comprising a compressed gas tank (30) containing the working gas under pressure, a compressed gas tank shut-off valve (32) and a pressure-reducing valve (40) connected to the shut-off valve (32) on the discharge side, characterized in that the odorizing insert (10, 20) has an odorant outlet (3, 23) with a media connection (5; 25) which is connected to a media connection counterpart (46, 49a, 50) either in the pressure reducing valve (40 ), is connected to a pre-pressure line (44a) or to a back-pressure line (51), with the pre-pressure line (44a) between the shut-off valve (32) and the pressure-reducing valve (40), and the back-pressure line (51) between the pressure-reducing valve (40) and the consumer (51a) runs. Odorization insert according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is self-sufficient and mobile and that it comprises an odorant container (2, 22) which contains the odorant as a gas or as a liquid. Odorization insert according to Claim 2, characterized in that the odorant is enclosed under pressure in the odorant container (2, 22). Odorization insert according to Claim 3, characterized in that the odorant and a carrier gas, preferably CO ₂ , are enclosed in the odorant container (2, 22). Odorization insert according to Claim 2, characterized in that the odorant container (2, 22) is designed as a flushing body (22) which has an inlet (21) and an outlet (23) for the working gas and/or for a carrier gas. Odorization insert according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the odorant container (2, 22) is designed either to be refillable or for disposable use. Odorization insert according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a manually or electrically operable closing device for closing and opening the odorant outlet (3, 23), the manually or electrically operable closing device preferably being located on the odorant outlet (3, 23) arranged throttle valve includes. Odorization insert according to Claim 7, characterized in that the closing device can be adjusted automatically. Odorization insert according to Claim 8, characterized in that it is equipped with a power supply unit. Gas supply system (100, 200, 300) for supplying a consumer (51a) with a working gas, in particular a working gas for cutting and welding, for example from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gas, with a compressed gas tank (30th ), which contains the working gas under pressure and which has a pressurized gas container shut-off valve (32), and with a pressure-reducing valve (40) which is connected to the shut-off valve (32) on the delivery side, characterized in that the gas supply system (100, 200, 300 ) comprises an odorizing insert (10, 20) which has an odorant outlet (3, 23) with a media connection (5, 25) which is connected to a media connection counterpart (46, 49a, 50) in the pressure reducing valve (40) , is connected to a pre-pressure line (44a) or to a back-pressure line (51), the pre-pressure line (44a) between the shut-off valve (32) and the pressure-reducing valve (40), and the back-pressure line (51) between the pressure-reducing valve (40) and the Consumer (51a) runs. Gas supply system (100, 200, 300) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the odorizing insert (10, 20) is designed according to one of Claims 2 to 9. Method for odorizing a working gas for welding and cutting, for example from the group comprising oxygen, hydrogen, propane, acetylene and protective welding gases, by adding an odorant to the working gas, characterized in that the working gas comes from a compressed gas tank (30) is removed, and the odorant is added to the working gas after it has been removed from the compressed gas tank (30). Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the odorant is released from an odorant insert (10, 20) into a hollow part carrying the working gas, namely either into a gas-carrying bore (49b) in the pressure-reducing valve (40), into a pre-pressure line (44a ) or in a rear pressure line (51), the pressure reducing valve (40) being connected on the discharge side to a shut-off valve (32) of the compressed gas tank (30), and the upstream pressure line (44a) between the shut-off valve (32) and the pressure reducing valve (40), and the back pressure line (51) is connected between the pressure reducing valve (40) and the consumer (51a).

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