Acetylene

Acetylene

The principal raw materials for acetylene manufacture are calcium carbonate (limestone) and coal. The calcium carbonate is first converted into calcium oxide and the coal into coke, and then the two are reacted with each other to form calcium carbide and carbon monoxide. Calcium carbide (or calcium acetylide) and water are then reacted by any of several methods to produce acetylene and calcium hydroxide. Acetylene Fuel Gas Torches can be defined as Air/ Acetylene or Oxygen /Acetylene. Torches that do not mix pure oxygen with the fuel inside the torch, but burn it with atmospheric air, are not oxy-fuel torches and can be identified by their single tank. (Oxy-fuel welding/cutting needs two tanks, fuel and oxygen.) A regulator is used to control pressure from the tanks by reducing pressure and regulating flow rate. All components that manage Acetylene such as the cylinder, hose attachment hardware, gas pressure regulators, torch assembly or torch tips should be designated for use with Acetylene. Commercially produced Acetylene has an odor much like garlic.