[Jewelry making - Article 00751] - Re: [Orchid] How do you know you're running low?

[Dave Arens]

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Hi Noel,

>     I have always opened the oxy valve just a quarter turn, just like
>     the fuel. 

    The reason to open the oxy tank valve all the way is the pressure
    the oxy is under in the tank, about 2000 psi in a freshly filled
    tank. 

    The valve on the oxy tanks is a double seated valve. What that means
    is the valve stem has a portion of it that matches perfectly with a
    seat in the body of the valve when the valve is closed & another
    portion that matches a seat at the upper end when the valve is FULLY
    open. 

    These two seats are necessary because the valve stem packing cannot
    withstand the 2000 psi pressure & a fair amount of oxy will leak if
    the valve isn't opened all the way. If you haven't been opening the
    oxy valve all the way & now begin to open it all the way, you should
    see your oxy consumption fall due to not leaking oxy from the open
    valve. 

    Fuel gases on the other hand are not stored at such high pressures &
    the valve stem packing can contain the gas when the valve is only
    partially open. 

    Another reason that the fuel gas tank valve is only opened 1/4 - 1/2
    turn is this. It takes 2 things for a fire, fuel & oxy. Remove
    either one & the fire goes out. Since there's always oxy in the air,
    that can't be removed. However closing the fuel gas tank valve will
    remove that portion of the fire equation. It takes a lot less time
    to give the fuel tank valve 1/2 turn or less than it does to give it
    many turns. 

    The above apply to refillable tanks, not the small disposable tanks
    whose regulators have no gauges. 

Dave
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