Acetylene Tank Safety
Acetylene gas is commonly used in cutting torches and can reach extreme temperatures when mixed with oxygen. It is made up of two carbon atoms, held together by a triple carbon bond and two hydrogen atoms. A triple carbon bond is extremely unstable and makes acetylene gas sensitive to pressure, temperature and the presence of a spark.
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Identification
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Acetylene tanks, or cylinders, are made up of steel with a filler and solvent inside. The filler and solvent prevent the acetylene from dissipating at pressure above 15 pounds per square inch, or psi. Each cylinder must have labels that lists the specifications that control the manufacture of the cylinder, the serial number, manufacturer's label and the date the tank was tested. The tank must also list the total weight of the cylinder, filler, and acetylene and the date that the tank was requalified.
Features
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Acetylene tanks come with several safety features designed to minimize the risk of handling this gas. Acetylene is dissolved in acetone not only to prevent dissipation of the gas, but also to stabilize the triple carbon bond inherent in acetylene. Another safety feature of acetylene tanks is the heat resistance of the plugs, which only melt at temperatures above 212 degrees F.
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Shell
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The steel shell of the acetylene tank must meet certain safety standards. The tank may be welded on the sides with a formed bottom, or have a formed side and be welded on the bottom. Each tank size has its own set of specifications dealing with the weight of the tank both empty and full and its capacity. Tanks are pressure tested to at least twice what the interior pressure would be when filled with acetylene.
Considerations
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Because acetylene is such a volatile gas, several safety guidelines should be considered. Always store acetylene tanks upright and handle them carefully. Protect the cylinder from both heat and damp conditions and store it away from other flammable materials. If a tank is leaking, carefully move it to an open area. Only have the supplier repair it. Allow an acetylene tank fire to burn itself out in nearly every situation. If the fire is at a connection and can be extinguished by a wet rag, do so, but use extreme caution.
Requalification
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Regulations are in place that require acetylene tanks to be requalified at certain intervals. Tanks must be requalified every 10 years and their filler must be requalified between three and 20 years. To requalify a tank, the tank must be inspected by a registered requalification center. If a tank passes the requalification exam, it is marked with an identification number and the type of requalification that was performed. The letter "S" indicates a shell requalification and a letter "F" indicates a filler requalification.
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References
- Photo Credit Soudure Oxy-acetylene image by Coralie Palmeri from Fotolia.com
