Bottle of diving

The bottle of diving is the tank which contains the Gaz compressed (generally of the Air) necessary to the breathing of the plunger . The bottles can also contain other respiratory mixtures (Nitrox, Héliair, Hydrox, Trimix, Héliox, Hydreliox). These others mix allow, compared to the air, either to increase the depths atteignables, or to limit the accident risks of decompression, or to decrease the level of narcosis, or to shorten times of the stages of decompression.

If one excludes still experimental achievements (carbon fibers), the bottles of current use are in Acier or alloy of Aluminum, of series 6061.

The bottles of diving used usually, called “block” in the language of the plungers, contain between 12 and 18 Liter S of compressed air with 200 bar and, generally, are used only. For certain divings one assembles two blocks to form a " bi" and to profit from an increased capacity and/or a safety. One can also find bottles having an operating pressure of 150,177,200,232 or 300 bar S for a capacity from 1 to 20 Liter S.

One also finds in the world of the Plongée of other types of bottles:

bottles of Oxygen (to make the stages or to carry help on the surface);
of the bottles relays used within the framework of the plunged deep;
of the plugs used for the inflation of the blocks.

The bottle of diving containing a compressed gas, it is necessary to equip it with a pressure reducer. The pressure reducer adapts the pressure of gas provided to the plunger to the environmental pressure so that this gas is respirable (the deeper the plunger is, the more the pressure is high).

Manufactoring processes of the blocks out of steel

According to the type of Steel starting, there exist three types of manufacture:

Plate steel

After inspection of the steel plates, they are then cut out then pressed and slipped by (proceeded known as IWKA).

Tube steel

The tubes, free from all welding, are cut to the good length before being heated by induction then formatted by hydrospinning (this process is known as ROTH name of the company which developed it). The blocks undergo then a heat treatment in order to ensure a greater resistance of metal.

From the process of development, these bottles have a base a little thicker, which increases their weight by 1 to 2 kg compared to the other types of bottles.

Steel section

The steel section of square section is heated then slipped by hot by a press.

The warhead and completion

The warhead is carried out, either by hydrospinning, or by forging before being machined.

The blocks are then treated and protected from the aggressions thermal and hydraulics before being controlled and put in pressure. During manufacture, the totality of the bottles undergo a hydraulic proof test to 1,5 times their pressure operating. A certain number of blocks are subjected to destructive tests of rupture in water pressure and measurement of mechanical characteristics.

Legal mentions

European Union

In the European Union, since 2001, the bottles of diving are subjected to a regulation on the apparatuses with pressure (European directive 97/23/CE called often the DEVELOPING COUNTRIES). The bottles known as the DEVELOPING COUNTRIES comprises a Marquage THIS.

The design, manufacture and control in factory are carried out under the control of organization notified near the European commission for the directive apparatus with pressure. These organizations are for example the Bureau Veritas, the Lloyd' S or TUV. This control includes/understands in particular the respect of manufacturing standards, a hydraulic test before the startup and a regular réépreuve. In France, in accordance with the decree of March 15th, 2000, it must take place every 2 years for the private individuals and every 5 years for the clubs if they undergo an annual visual checking of a visual Technicien of inspection (TIV).

The observance of the regulation and the needs for control involve a series of indications punched on the bottle which constitute its " chart of identité" detailed below:

Name of manufacturing
Serial number
Matter: steel or aluminum
Designation of gas contained: air, oxygen, mixture, etc
Tare weight in kg
interior Volume said volume out of water (capacity)
Date of manufacture
Pressure of loading or operating pressure expressed in bar
Pressure of réépreuve to 15 ℃ expressed in bar
Date of réépreuve
punch of the organization inspector.

Legislation in France

The bottles of diving, if they are badly handled, can be at the origin of serious accidents following the brutal decompression of the bottle (involving a gel of surrounding materials) or with its explosion (comparable with that of a grenade).

The transport of the bottles of diving in France is regulated like their storage, their use. Their use is prone to qualifications.

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