Gasometer

A gasometer, or gas-holder, is a large container where natural gas or town gas is stored near atmospheric pressure at ambient temperatures. The volume of the container follows the quantity of stored gas, with pressure coming from the weight of a movable cap. Typical volumes for large gasometers are about 50,000 m³, with 60 m diameter structures.

Gasometers tend to be used for balancing purposes (making sure gas pipes can be operate within a safe range of pressures) rather than for actually storing gas for later use. Gas more recently was stored in large underground reservoirs such as salt caverns. Nowadays however line-packing is the preferred method.