Acetylene (C2H2)


Characteristics:

  • Colorless Gas
  • Garlic – like Odor
  • Highly Flammable



USES:

- Used as a fuel for oxyacetylene cutting, heating-treating, flame cleaning to remove rust from steel, spalling concrete and other processes requiring a high temperature flame (3100 oC)
- Fuel for atomic absorption instruments
- As raw material for a whole series of organic compounds, among them vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, acetic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, chloroprene, neoprene, vinyl acetate, trichloroehtylene and vinyl ethers



GAS COMPOSITION

                                                   Industrial Grade:                                          High Purity
Acetylene                                         98 %                                                      99.0% (by Orsat analysis)
Sulfur Compounds as H2S             Less than 0.02% by volume             Less than 0.001% by volume
Phosphorus as PH3                       Less than 0.01% by volume             Less than 0.0002% by volume
Arsenic as AsH3                             Less than 0.01% by volume             Less than 0.0001% by volume
Acetone          Saturated @ temperature of cylinder during discharge      Saturated @ temperature of cylinder during discharge
Air                    Less than 1% over the cylinder contents          Less than 1% over the cylinder contents



MATERIAL COMPATIBILITY

Steel, stainless steel, aluminum and wrought iron are recommended for use with Acetylene.  Joints may be welded or threaded or flanged.  The use of cast iron fittings is not permissible.  Unalloyed copper, silver and mercury brasses containing more than 66% copper and brazing materials containing copper and silver should never be used in direct contact with acetylene due to the possible formation of explosive acetylides. 

Ensure hoses and pipelines are compatible with acetone.



CYLINDER INFORMATION:
   
    The cylinder was constructed of rolled steel for welded structure of high-tension steel of homogenous quality; the welded steel cylinders are fabricated by highly advanced welding technique under strict quality control. The surface of each cylinder is cleaned  and treated with epoxide resin paints. It resists against acetone keeping fine appearance for long. Each cylinder has been equipped with two or four fusible metal safety devices. And it is filled with coca-lite filler.
   
    Coca-lite is made of calcium silicate and asbestos containing no metallic components that make acetylene unstable and no acetone-soluble organic compounds. The safety of coca-lite filler has been proven by repeated tests such as vibration test, backfire test, bonefire test, and etc. It has a high porosity of 92% consists of countless pores like capillary. The pore cannot be observed even under x500 microscopic.
   
    Acetylene cylinders are filled with solvent (acetone) based on cylinder specification but, normally for brand-new standard acetylene cylinder it is filled with 14 kg of solvent.


Containers Sizes and Color Coding:

Type                            Acetone(kg) Content                             Color/Body/Collar
Standard  14 kg         3.5 kg – 4.5 kg / 3.21 m3 – 4.14 m3       Black/Maroon
Medium                      2.0 kg / 1.76 m3                                      Black/Maroon

Note:
    All acetylene cylinders undergo second charging. This means more acetylene content per cylinder. At normal usage, SUGECO acetylene has an oxygen to acetylene ratio of 2 is to 1 which means only one acetylene cylinder will consume for every 2 standard oxygen cylinders. 
    At normal temperature, cylinder pressure ranges from 250 psig to 300 psig.Carbon-free acetylene has the same sizes with Industrial acetylene but the latter should never be refilled with Industrial and vice versa.



Plotting the Acetylene Content (weight acetylene) versus acetylene cylinders from a sample size of 21 cylinders, we can see the big difference with respect to acetylene content between the 1st charged cylinders and the 2nd charged cylinders.

SUGECO acetylene’s weight content =  3.5 kg to 5.0 kg
                  pressure = 270 psi to 300 psi

Other brands’ content = 3.0 kg to 3.5 kg
                  pressure = 200 psi to 250 psi

The following computation is the cost the customers would save using SUGECO acetylene cylinder:

Average cost saver per SUGECO acetylene cylinder = P226.50/cyl.
                                                                                         
Cost Saved         =  Cost of one standard oxygen + average cost
                                     saved per SUGECO acetylene cylinder
                                =  P251 + P226.50
                                  =  P477.50

THEY CAN SAVE AS MUCH AS P477.50  PER CYLINDER USING SUGECO ACETYLENE!!!
   



SAFETY PRECAUTION

- Ventilate to prevent accumulation of Acetylene in flammable concentrations.
- Use is naturally ventilated areas or if in enclosed area provide forced ventilation.
- Do not reticulate at pressure greater than 100 kPa
- Always be mindful that a flammable gas is under pressure.
- Acetylene can form explosive when mixed with air.
- No smoking or naked flames within the specified area.
- Store away from oxidizing sources in a well ventilated area.
- Close cylinder valve when not in use.
- Never use Acetylene in direct contact with unalloyed copper, silver and mercury.
- Must be stored and used in a vertical position.
- Open cylinder valve slowly.
- Always use a specified regulator to connect to the system.
- Do not allow oil or greases on a cylinder or valve.
- Cylinders should be secured from falling over.
- Cylinder contains acetone solvent that may cause irritations.
- Keep the cylinders in an upright position to avoid spillage of solvent inside the cylinder.

- The maximum hourly draw-off rate from an acetylene cylinder should be limited as follows:
Cylinders :  1/7 of nominal contents (i.e. for a “G” cylinder content is 7.0 m3 so max. draw-off is 1.0 m3 per hour or 16.7 L/min.
Packs     :  1/9 of nominal contents (i.e. For an MDA-8 pack content is 56 m3,  so max. draw off is 6.2 m3 per hour or 278 L/min.

- After the full tanks are set & connections made, cylinders must be opened & connections checked for leaks, uses the soap test.
- Plastic caps must be placed on cylinders to prevent foreign matters like dirt, water, etc. from entering the cylinder  valves.
- In case of a relief cylinder valve is opened while transported or set, it must be moved to a safe & ventilated place. Until pressure is lowered.


Advance Planning in Case of Fire:

- Emergency conditions must be anticipated
- Action plan should be made for every specific situation like container fire, explosion, etc.
- Each individual must handle automatically in the performance of their duties.
- Be familiar with the locations of safety controls, valves, & other devices  for a systematic run in fire fighting.


Points for Delivery man:

- he must be well- oriented on the purpose & use of equipments.
- Sources of ignition must must not be allowed in the vicinity of loading & unloading operations. If cannot be controlled, transfer of LPG must not be made.


Rules that must be strictly followed:

SMOKING- drivers or any person are not allowed to smoke inside the vehicles or making deliveries.
MATCHES- drivers or any person are not allowed to bring matches, only flashlights.
BURNING MOTORS- truck motors must be stopped when loading & unloading cargo containers.
OPEN FLAMES & SPARKS- loading & unloading must not be made on vicinity of open flames or sparks, welding & cutting operations.