non-refillable argon cylinder?

[Short Game]

There is a small argon cylinder in a thrift store I go to. It seems to be full to some degree. It has a valve like a tire valve and I pushed it and it is still pressurized. It says it is non-refillable (under penalty of law). It is a pretty stout looking bottle and I am wondering why something like that would be a throw-away. It is about 12 inches long and four in diameter, both ends are hemispherical. I tried to find one like it online but did not. What pressure is liquid argon at in a bottle like that? Why is it non-refillable?

 

[monckywrench]

Pics would help. Any stamping or marking info too.

 

[deereman75]

That sounds odd. Maybe its for harbor freight mig welders, the machine will break at the same time the tank empties!:laughing:

 

[aczlan]

A quick Google search says that they are often used for dispensing wine: http://www.winekeeper.com/01pages/folder-products/product-pages/1keeperargon.pdf and small mig kits: Deca s.p.a. - Consumables - NON REFILLABLE GAS BOTTLE: ARGON/CO2

Aaron Z

 

[Short Game]

I asked the store owner if he knew anything about the bottle and he didn't. He has a $5 price tag on it. I was interested in making it into a small CO2 bottle for a portable beer keg pusher. I won't be back to that store for over a week and it may not even be there when I get back. Was just trying to learn what it might be. The warning labels looked pretty official. I just can't understand why this heavy cylinder would be non-refillable. It was from a welding company.

This doesn't look like it: