[Jewelry making - Article 00111] - Re: [Orchid] Pressure booster and Natural gas

[Ed Howard]

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    I'm the manufacturer of the G-TEC Torch Booster and I'd like to
    respond to recent questions and postings regarding my products. 

    First, with respect to James Binnion's comments about safety, he is
    absolutely correct. 

    During the past year in New York City five jewelers have exploded
    their gas meters because they connected their torches directly to the
    city gas line without flashback arrestors. The huge difference in gas
    pressure between city gas, 1/4 psi, and O2, anywhere from 10 to 70
    psi, makes it relatively easy to cause a flashback. 

    When such a flashback occurs the gas meter literally explodes like a
    hand grenade, a significant gas leak is created and sometimes there
    is a fire. Fortunately no one has been hurt yet, but gas is turned
    off to the building...in one case gas was shut off for 8 months. 

    The city gas utility studied potential solutions, including all
    known flashback arrestors, checkvalves, etc and concluded: 

    - No flashback arrestor or check valve promoted as working with low
    pressure natural gas is 100% effective in stopping a flashback 

    - Standard 2 psi flashback arrestors such as are sold through
    Gesswein, Rio Grande and other leading distributors are 100%
    effective in stopping a flashback. As James noted, the problem is
    that these flashback arrestors require higher pressure gas flow to
    work. 

    A G-TEC Torch Booster lifts gas pressure enough to make the standard
    2 psi flashback arrestor work, and give the jeweler the gas flow
    needed at the torch. In New York City our Torch Boosters have been
    approved by the Fire Department, NYC Department of Buildings and
    Consolidated Edison and are recognized as the solution to this
    problem. We are on a path that will lead to Torch Boosters being, if
    not required, at least very strongly recommended to insure that
    flashback arrestors can be installed and will perform their safety
    function properly. New York City jewelers will be hearing more about
    this in the coming weeks. 

    If anyone would like to contact me directly I would be happy to
    share more d etails about our experience with flashbacks in NYC than
    space permits here. 

    Second, while a torch directly connected to the city gas line will
    work (please note that US OSHA regulations require a flashback
    arrestor be used with an oxy-fuel torch) many manufacturers recommend
    higher than 1/4 psi fuel gas flow for their torches. The Smith Little
    Torch suggests up to 4 psi fuel pressure when used with a # 4 tip, up
    to 8 psi with a # 7 tip, etc. Recommended pressures for a Hoke torch
    range between 2-5 psi. 

    While a torch may work with 1/4 psi natural gas it will work better,
    and the jeweler will get better performance, when s/he can set gas
    pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendation. 

    Third, with regard to using a Torch Booster in a home studio...these
    products are certified by CSA-International, the same organization
    that certifies your hot water heater, gas dryer, oven and other gas
    appliances. They are safe to use in a home studio and in fact are
    welcomed in places like shopping malls that prohibit propane and
    other cylinder gases. The gas flow with these units is the same as if
    you turned on all the stovetop burners in the kitchen. Just make sure
    the system is installed by a person qualified to work on the natural
    gas line. 

    Finally, an earlier posting suggested letting the system run for 5
    minutes before using it. In fact the system is at full pressure and
    ready to go as soon as it is turned on and there is no waiting time
    required. 

    People who have purchased Torch Boosters cite three things they like
    about them: 

    - They get better torch performance of high-pressure natural gas 

    - They like the safety aspect of being able to install a flashback
    arrestor that doesn't block gas flow 

    - The system is quiet, convenient and easy to use 

    If anyone has a specific question about a G-TEC Torch Booster please
    contact me directly, or make a further posting here and I will answer
    it. 

    If you would like to see a Torch Booster they will be exhibited at
    the JA Show Jan 21-23 in NYC, Catalog In Motion in Tucson Feb 2-5,
    MJSA in NYC March 18-20 and the Bench Conference in Buffalo April
    26-29. 

Ed Howard
G-TEC Natural Gas Systems
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