========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm ]========
I experience the problem you describe about two or three times per
year; liquid oily stuff comes through the gas hose causing the torch
to sputter, surge and blow itself out, as well as leak and drip. It
seems to happen with the onset of winter and may have some relation
with the heating in the workshop
Initially I would remove the torch nozzle and clean it in the
ultrasonic, and with the nozzle removed I would blow out the hose by
opening the gas tap on the tank for a quick blast. This is best done
outdoors with the hose directed at some newspaper as the oily
substance is quite noxious and comes out as droplets and mist..
Now I deal with the phenomenon in a different way. First let's be
clear that my torch is the gas/air type that uses high pressure LPG
direct from the cylinder via a thick high pressure hose. If you have
a second hose carrying oxygen to your torch, then you will have
pressure regulators and you probably will not experience the problem
under discussion, however please do not try to do what I am about to
describe on any gas/oxygen burners!
I'm in the middle of a soldering operation and suddenly my torch
surges and fades and surges. I now know what the problem is - oil in
the orifice! I light my other torch (oxy/acetylene) and use it to
heat the nozzle of the offending gas/air torch. I heat the nozzle
part including the orifice until the oily substance vaporises and
burns along with the gas, giving a bigger orange flame that surges as
before but will not go out. As long as the heat in the nozzle doesn't
travel down the metal body of the torch to the control knob (which
has rubber 'O'-rings) then I believe this is safe on my torch, but
not necessarily safe on your torch. With the nozzle hot and alight I
lower the torch to ground level and shake the hose to drain any
liquid oil in the hose down into the torch where it burns fiercely.
All done in about 5 minutes and I can continue working even while the
nozzle is hot. This is best done near an open door, or outdoors,
because if the flame does go out during the process then the unburnt
vaporised oil will permeate the workshop.
My theory is that the LPG in cylinders contains volatile oils that
are nearly gas, but not quite. The oils usually stay in the bottom of
the tank and don't give trouble, but under certain conditions they
condense in the hose and move on into the torch. The conditions seem
to be a very cold cylinder from over-night being warmed up quickly
when the room heater is turned on.
Alastair
Would you like to reach Members of the Ganoksin Project to educate
them about the wonderful array of supplies, services and products
you have to offer?
Please request a copy of the Ganoksin Media Kit if you would like
more indepth information regarding Ganoksin's advertising services.
Navigate by Topic:
[
