[Jewelry making - Article 00270] - Re: [Orchid] Pressure booster and Natural gas

[James Binnion]

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Hi Judy,

>     As I posted before, I use residential pressure natural gas with
>     compressed oxygen. I purchased a special MECO low pressure gauge
>     for my oxy supply which lets me set my oxy pressure to eight
>     pounds, exactly. 

    At 8 psi the oxygen is at least 16 times the NG supply pressure.
    This is one of the main reasons this setup is a problem. If for any
    reason there is a blockage of the tip then the oxygen will force its
    way into the NG line and try to equalize the pressure. now you have
    oxidizer and fuel mixed in an enclosed container (the pipe) and an
    explosion waiting to happen. 

>     At one Catalog in Motion, a torch expert explained why the MECO
>     midget worked so well. I asked because I was concerned that the low
>     pressure wouldn't be enough to make the torch useful. He used the
>     term venturi to describe how the torch worked. 

    No disrespect to the expert but all torches behavior can be
    explained to some degree as a venturi. However this is normally more
    appropriately used to describe how a gas air torch like an acetylene
    air torch sucks external air into the mixing tube to create the
    correct mix for burning. Any oxy-fuel torch with a large enough tip
    orifice will work on the low pressure natural gas lines. Meco is a
    nice torch, I have used them in my shop for years. 

>     Now with all that, in 14 years of daily use, and having the gas
>     inspectors look at what I'm doing and how I'm using the natural
>     gas, 

    The inspectors may not be that aware of the danger, they dont see
    this type of installation regularly and may not be cognizant of the
    danger it poses.

>     I'm at a loss to understand why I need to add yet another piece of
>     equipment to my studio. I'm with Judy Willingham - if someone can
>     find one documented accident in a single jeweler studio
>     attributable to lack of a pressure booster and flashback arrestor,
>     I will re-consider.

    It is like saying that "I drive down the freeway while talking on my
    cell phone and have never had an accident". Just because you have
    not had an accident doesn't make the practice safe. 

    This thread has probably been beaten to death so I will stop now but
    if you are interested in finding out about the details of accidents
    contact Ed Howard at G-TEC he works with the jewelry industry and
    can provide you with oxygen-NG accident information and other data. 

Jim

James Binnion
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
James Binnion Metal Arts
http://www.mokume-gane.com
360-756-6550
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