[Jewelry making - Article 01072] - Re: [Orchid] Acetylene fumes, could it be a flashback?

[Dan Ballard]

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Hi

    One possibility is that some of the liquid (acetone maybe) that
    stabilizes acetylene leaked out. Did you tank get tipped over at any
    point? That would let acetone get out which might dissolve
    plastic-Becoming your sticky substance. Without the acetone the tank
    is extremely dangerous. One thing I hate about acetylene (among
    others) is that it can be set off by shock. So, they stabilize it
    with acetone. At least that is what I was taught in school! Could be
    wrong but if in doubt call your supplier and just replace the
    cylinder. 

    Daniel Ballard 

    Here is a link to a picture of the design on the inside 

    http://www.motorera.com/dictionary/pics/a/acetylene.jpg 

    Quoting from a web source 

    http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?p=269788 

        Exclamationacetylene storage - now for the facts... 

        There is nothing inherently unsafe with STORING an acetylene
        tank on its side, just as there't nothing wrong with putting a
        bottle of soda on its side in the refrigerator. The acetylene
        molecules don't really care what orientation the tank is in. 

        The problem comes with using an acetylene tank that has been on
        its side. The acetone filler needs time re-absorb back into the
        filler completely or you risk drawing some of it out of the tank
        when you open it. I have heard people in the gas industry
        recommend leaving the tank upright for 24 hours to allow the
        acetone time to completely re-absorb. Other people have told me
        that you can get away with leaving the tank upright for a couple
        hours before using it, but I always going with the 24 hour time
        period. 

        Reading some of the various acetylene threads on this website
        could lead you to believe that a Hiroshima explosion in your
        workshop is more than likely if you look at your acetylene
        cylinder wrong! 

        And, in case you don't believe me (aw shucks, you'll hurt my
        delicate feelings), here's a quote from the US Dept. of Labor
        website: 

        "WHILE STORAGE IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION DOES NOT MAKE THE
        ACETYLENE LESS STABLE OR SAFE, IT DOES INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF
        SOLVENT LOSS, WHICH WILL RESULT IN A LOWER FLAME QUALITY WHEN THE
        CYLINDER IS USED. THEREFORE IT IS ALWAYS PREFERABLE TO STORE AN
        ACETYLENE CYLINDER IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION." -
 
     http://www.msha.gov/alerts/hazardsofacetylene.htm

 
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