Dissolved Acetylene Cylinder
Acetylene is, under normal conditions, a colorless, very combustible gas, an organic compound, an unsaturated hydrocarbon (the chemical formula is C2H2). It is lighter than air. Pure 100 % acetylene is odorless, whereas technical acetylene dissolved in acetone has a pungent smell. The boiling point is -83.6 °C. In industry, acetylene is produced by hydrolysis of calcium carbide and by thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons - methane or propane with butane. In the latter case, acetylene is produced together with ethylene and impurities of other hydrocarbons. The carbide method produces very pure acetylene, but requires high energy consumption, whereas the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons requires less energy, but the content of acetylene itself in the flow of combustion gases is low.
APPLICATION:< / strong>< / p>< / p> • for gas welding and metal cutting; • as a source of very bright, white light in self-contained lamps, where it is produced by the reaction of calcium carbide and water; • in the production of explosives; • for the production of acetic acid, ethyl alcohol, solvents, plastics, rubber, aromatic hydrocarbons; • for the production of carbon black; • together with ammonia in rocket engines. Requirements for transportation, storage and use of cylinders for dissolved technical acetylene are established by the Federal standards and regulations in the field of industrial safety "Regulations of industrial safety for hazardous facilities using equipment operating under excessive pressure", GOST 5457-75 "Dissolved and gaseous technical acetylene. Technical specifications (with Amendments N 1, 2, 3)", fire safety standards, as well as other laws and regulations and international agreements in force on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Cylinders are not hazardous cargo until they are taken into use, but in any case they should be transported in conditions that exclude mechanical damage. Cylinders must be transported filled with nitrogen to the pressure from 0.05 to 0.07 MPa (0.5 - 0.7 kgf/cm2) with valves tightly closed and caps screwed on. Cylinders filled with dissolved technical acetylene shall be transported by any mode of transport in accordance with the Regulations on Hazardous Goods Transportation applicable to this mode of transport. Cylinders are transported in wagon-load and small shipments in boxcars or in general-purpose containers on open rolling stock. When transporting in small shipments, cylinder caps must be sealed. When transporting small-volume cylinders by all modes of transport, they must be packed in special containers for small-capacity cylinders or plank lattice boxes, laid horizontally, with valves in one direction with mandatory gaskets between the cylinders that protect them from hitting each other.
It is forbidden to make any modifications to the cylinder bodies using welding or mechanical tools, which can lead to damage to the integrity or appearance of defects that degrade the technical characteristics of the cylinders. When using cylinders for dissolved technical acetylene it is not allowed to install them in the places of people passage, movement of goods and passage of vehicles, in basements and cellars, canals and other places located below the level of the surrounding area. Cylinders must be located at least 1 m away from radiators and other heating devices and at least 5 m from heat sources with open flame. When using cylinders for dissolved technical acetylene is prohibited: to take the gas out of the cylinder without a reducer, designed to reduce the pressure; to leave the cylinder valve open during transportation, breaks in operation, upon completion of work and after emptying the cylinder; to tighten the nuts of the reducer and the valve under pressure; to take gas from a cylinder more than 1,700 dm3/h, while keeping the cylinder in an upright position only; to disassemble and repair cylinder valves outside specialized organizations; to carry the cylinder on your shoulders or drag it; their dropping and collision, as well as unloading downwards with valves when loading and unloading cylinders. The nominal pressure of dissolved technical acetylene in a full cylinder at 20 °C should be 1.9 MPa (19 kgf/cm2). The gas in the cylinders must not be completely consumed when in use. The residual gas pressure in the cylinder at temperatures up to 0 °C should be at least 0.05 MPa (0.5 kgf/cm2), from 0 °C to 15 °C - at least 0.1 MPa (1.0 kgf/cm2), from 15 °C to 25 °C - at least 0.2 MPa (2.0 kgf/cm2), from 25 °C to 35 °C - at least 0.3 MPa (3.0 kgf/cm2). The use of cylinders with acetylene in the horizontal position is not allowed. Also, when using, it is always necessary to remember that the pressure of dissolved technical acetylene in the cylinder changes with the temperature. For example, a cylinder filled at a temperature of +20 °C to a pressure of 19 kgf/cm2, when the temperature rises to +40 °C will have a pressure of 30 kgf/cm2, and when lowering to 0 °C - 14 kgf/cm2, to -5 °C - 13.4 kgf/cm2.
Storage of cylinders should be carried out in warehouses or in outdoor areas under a shelter that protects the cylinders from precipitation and direct sunlight Products in long-term storage should be subject to periodic inspection, but at least once a year. Cylinders must be stored filled with nitrogen to the pressure from 0.05 to 0.07 MPa (0.5 - 0.7 kgf/cm2) with valves tightly closed and caps screwed on.