Gas
Equipment
Buyer's
Guide
Acetylene (C2H2) is an inflammable gas commonly used for welding in
small-scale industries. Even though it is very common, this gas is an
extremely dangerous material. Acetylene is classified as a flammable
compressed gas which can, under certain conditions, decompose into its
constituent elements of carbon and hydrogen with explosive results. The
explosive range of the gas, when mixed with air, is from 2.5% to 82%,
the widest of any commonly used gas. Hence, proper procedures for
handling and storing acetylene gas should be understood and followed.Improper storage/handling of compressed gases can lead to serious fires, explosions or releases due to pressure buildup in cylinders or reactivity with other materials. It should be stored in a separate fuel compound, since, acetylene and air form an explosive mixture. As a compressed gas, the cylinders used to store it must be of steel construction and meet certain requirements such as hydrostatic testing.
When Storing Acetylene...
An acetylene cylinders should be protected by pressure release devices, which normally consists of a fusible plug located at the bottom of the cylinder. It should not be combined with any object that contains more than 70% copper as a highly explosive compound is formed. Nor, should it be stored or used at pressures greater than 15 psi, though some of the cylinder pressures are rated for 250 psi but this is acceptable only when the gas is dissolved in acetone. Several other guidelines that should be followed while storing Acetylene are :-
- Always use cylinder manufactured from steel and wrought iron;
avoid copper, silver and mercury, as explosive acetylides can be
formed on copper and aluminum bronze.
- These cylinders should always be chained when either in use or in
storage.
- Never store acetylene, within 25 feet of oxygen cylinders.
- Do not place acetylene cylinders near furnaces, boilers or other
sources of high temperature.
- Take care whether the gas system is suitable for the pressure
rating and the hoses are connected without any leaks.
- Acetylene cylinders should be stored in a designated storage
area, which is dry, well ventilated and protected from the elements,
heat and flammables.
- Sparks and flame should be kept away from acetylene gas
cylinders.
- Never attempt to transfer acetylene from one cylinder to another
nor to mix any other gas with it in the cylinder.
- Acetylene gas is lighter than air so any gas leakage could rise.
However, certain atmospheric conditions can prevent this.
- Do not use a partly discharged acetylene cylinder to supply a
large welding or heating tip for outdoor work in very cold weather.
- Always cap and secure stored cylinders upright to prevent them
from falling over and damaging the valve or cylinder.
- After use of acetylene welding or burning gear, cylinder valves must be closed and the gas lines purged, regulators removed and all equipment stored in a safe place.
