There has been a lot of talk regarding the acetylene shortage. Alternative fuel gases such as propane and propylene have been promoted by gas firms. It would be ideal if you could get GENTEC kits for propane or propylene. However, if you currently have an acetylene kit, you might want to consider converting it to propane or propylene.
To begin with, you must still utilize an oxy-acetylene welding kit to complete the work because propane and propylene are insufficient. However, due of their higher BTU, propane and propylene can do a better job of heating than acetylene. Despite having a larger BTU than acetylene, propane and propylene require additional preheat time while cutting. The reason for this is that the heat is concentrated in the propane and propylene second flames. Another advantage of propane and propylene is that they do not have the same withdrawal problems as acetylene because they do not contain the noxious acetone.
You don’t need to replace the oxygen regulator, torch handle, or cutting attachment to utilize your present acetylene kit with propane or propylene. The following are some things to think about:
1. If the welding hoses in your kit are “R” or “RM” classes, change them to T-grade hoses. The hoses have this information on them. You won’t have to bother about T-grade hoses because they’re already included in GENTEC’s costumes. This will save you a lot of money.
2. In terms of regulators, if your acetylene regulator has a CGA510 connection, such as the GENTEC acetylene regulator, you may not need to replace it. Because it is designed to be operated under the same cylinder pressure as propane and propylene and gives a maximum outlet pressure of 15PSI, you can still use the acetylene regulator if your operating pressure is less than 15PSI. If your working pressure is greater than 15 PSI, you’ll require GENTEC 752F-40 or 152F-80 for medium-duty work, and 753F-125 or 153F-125 for heavy-duty work.
3. Replace the heating nozzle with a new one. The GENTEC 172HN series is designed for medium-duty work, whereas the 173HN series is designed for heavy-duty work. Both propane and propylene can be used with the same nozzle. Because the second flame generates the most heat, keep the nozzle’s tip about 2″ away from the work piece’s surface. You might try holding the flame higher to get a longer effective distance. GENTEC 175HN series multiple-flame heating nozzles, which have a longer elbow and larger heating head than the 172HN and 173HN, are also appropriate for propane and propylene.
4. Replace the cutting tip with a new one. Unlike the heating nozzle, propane and propylene have separate cutting tips. For cutting tip selection, please refer to the GENTEC Gas Welding and Cutting Apparatus catalog’s cutting tip section. In general, propane is represented by the 172CN and 173CN series, while propylene is represented by the 172CP and 173CP series. The 173CHN series is for propane while the 173CHP series is for propylene in machine torch applications.
Finally, remember to check the working pressure of propane or propylene, as well as the oxygen of the heating nozzles and cutting tips you purchase, even though the tip diameters of the cutting tips for acetylene, propane, and propylene are the same. With acetylene, the pressure setup for propane and propylene may be different.
Can I use a propane tank with an acetylene regulator?
- Your Acetylene Regulator MUST be replaced with a Propane Regulator (including for Propylene).
- You MUST replace your Acetylene hose with a Propane hose (including for Propylene).
- Check the label on your Flash Arrestor; if it reads “Fuel,” you can use it with Propane and Propylene. You’ll need to modify it to “Fuel” if it says “Acetylene.”
- Your torch SHOULD be safe to use with Acetylene, Propane, or Propylene; ours are, but if in question, contact the manufacturer. TAKE NO RISKS WITH GAS!!!!
Is it possible to use an acetylene regulator with LPG gas?
Propane regulators can be ordered with or without gauges. As previously stated, Acetylene and Propane Regulators should never be used with any other gas except the one for which they were built, albeit Propane Regulators can be used with Propylene, which is roughly 50% Propane.
What is the distinction between a propane regulator and an acetylene regulator?
Propane, often known as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) or LP gas, is a popular fuel. It is carried and kept as a very cold liquid, and if it comes into contact with the skin, it can induce a “frozen burn” or frostbite. Inside a tank or cylinder, liquid propane is converted to gas. Propane is colorless and odorless in its natural state. Manufacturers add a chemical ingredient to propane to give it a unique smell, making it simpler to detect in the event of a leak or spill.
Welding
To begin with, propane cannot be utilized in gas welding. When acetylene is burned in the presence of oxygen, a reducing zone forms, which cleans the steel surface. Propane, unlike acetylene, lacks a decreasing zone and so cannot be utilized for gas welding.
Brazing
Propane can be used for brazing in the same way as acetylene can. Equal result for capillary brazing (silver brazing). Acetylene will be advantageous for Braze “welding” (thick flowing brazing alloys).
Cutting
Propane, like acetylene, can be used to cut. When cutting with acetylene, the tip of the inner flame cone is usually placed on the metal (1mm from the plate surface). If you try the same thing with propane, you’ll have to wait a long time. The preheat procedure starts faster if you lift the torch to use the outer flame cone. Because propane only produces a modest amount of heat in the inner flame cone (less than 10%), the majority of the heat in the flame is concentrated in the outer cone. In the inner flame cone, acetylene discharges over 40% of its heat.
As a result, acetylene is preferable to propane for cutting. While acetylene is hotter than propane in terms of temperature, the fact is that individuals are cutting with propane wrongly. They make the error of cutting with propane in the same way as they would with acetylene. The heat in the propane warmup flame is not the same as the heat in the acetylene preheat flame. In summary, cutting with propane necessitates a different method, while acetylene preheats faster in general. Because cutting quality is unimportant in shipbreaking/ship demolition yards and scrapyards, propane is frequently used for cutting.
Heating
…is a completely other story. It is incorrect to claim that propane produces less heat (plain wrong actually). Although acetylene is hotter, it produces less heat. Oxygen / Propane is used for the majority of the preheating. This is a proven fact. The amount of heat provided from propane is greater.
Economy
Propane’s stoichiometric oxygen needs are higher than those of acetylene. The volume of oxygen to fuel gas ratio for the maximum flame temperature in oxygen is 1,2 to 1 for acetylene and 4.3 to 1 for propane. As a result, when Propane is used, significantly more oxygen is consumed. Despite the fact that propane is less expensive than acetylene, the higher oxygen consumption offsets this.
Safety
The most significant disadvantage of utilizing propane on board is, without a doubt, the issue of safety.
With a specific gravity of 0,9, acetylene is lighter than air (1). If gas escapes, the temperature will rise. Propane has a Specific Gravity of 1.66, making it heavier than air (as do other hydrocarbon gases such as butane and MAPP* (modified propane gas). Any propane leak in an enclosed space will sink to the deck level, where it will accumulate and may go undetected.
The oxygen-to-gas combination must be within a specified range for propane to burn successfully. There should be four parts propane to 96 parts oxygen in optimal conditions. When the gas burns outside of these parameters, incomplete combustion occurs, resulting in an excess of carbon monoxide. If the space does not have adequate ventilation, this can be quite harmful. Working in enclosed places such as ballast tanks and double bottoms onboard a ship is common. As the deadly gas replaces oxygen in the bloodstream, carbon monoxide overdose can be fatal.
*”MAPP gas” is a registered trademark of The Linde Group. The original chemical composition, methylacetylene-propadiene propane, inspired the name. “MAPP gas” is a term used to describe a type of gas
Is it possible to use any propane regulator?
In other words, in an LP Gas system, a first stage propane regulator cannot be placed separately. A second stage propane regulator must also be fitted. The first-stage propane regulator compensates for varying tank pressures by delivering gas at a pressure of 10 pounds or less into the gas line.
Is it possible to use a propane torch with an acetylene torch?
To begin with, propane cannot be utilized in gas welding. When acetylene is burned in the presence of oxygen, a reducing zone forms, which cleans the steel surface. Propane, unlike acetylene, lacks a decreasing zone and so cannot be utilized for gas welding.
Can I use my acetylene torch with propane?
Although a regular Oxy Acetylene Torch can be used to burn Oxy Propane/Propylene, it is not ideal.
Propane and propylene are gases that burn more slowly.
Propane and propylene also pass through the system as a vapour, not a gas, and do not become a gas until they come into contact with air.
The Welders Warehouse has created two Oxygen + Propane & Propylene Multi-Jet Torches.
In comparison to an Oxy/Acetylene Nozzle, both use our own, particularly developed Multi-Jet Nozzle, which is more easier to light and less likely to blow out.
Is it possible to utilize an acetylene regulator with Argon?
Models for acetylene, liquid propane, air, ammonia, argon, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, propane, carbon dioxide, and other corrosive and non-corrosive gases are available from Harris. They can assist in delivering a variable flow for welding and cutting torches that are compatible. For more information, look at the individual pieces.
Is propane or acetylene hotter?
If you ask any welder what they want from their welding tools, they’ll usually tell you that heat, efficiency, versatility, and clean cuts are the top priorities, depending on the type of welding they’re doing.
The fact that acetylene burns hotter is one of the most compelling arguments in its favor. When it comes to welding, many people believe that hotter is better. Is acetylene, on the other hand, actually hotter to burn? Yes is the straightforward answer to this question. Acetylene has a maximum neutral flame temperature of 5720 F in oxygen, while propane has a temperature of 5112. However, this does not imply that propane produces less heat.
Acetylene has the potential to burn hotter and perhaps pre-heat metal more quickly. Propane, on the other hand, may rival or even outperform acetylene with the right knowledge, parts, and setup. Obviously, there are numerous aspects to consider. The question isn’t which option is best, but which option is best for you, based on the work you want to do and the tools you want to utilize.
The fact that propane is safer than acetylene is one of the most compelling grounds for its use. Again, based on the numbers, this appears to be the case. Acetylene ignites at concentrations ranging from 2.5 percent to 82 percent, while propane ignites at concentrations ranging from 2.1 percent to 9.5 percent. It’s easy to argue that propane is far safer to use than acetylene based on these figures. However, keep in mind that both of these gases are combustible and must be handled with caution. Regardless of which choice you choose, the same safety precautions should be taken.
Finally, we must consider the great dollar, which is frequently the deciding factor in many commercial decisions. Acetylene has grown increasingly difficult to get in recent years, increasing the cost. Propane, on the other hand, is more readily available and stable for storage, making it more cost-effective. Indeed, the widening price gap between these two welding fuels has prompted many in the sector to explore switching from acetylene to propane.
Is a propane torch regulator required?
A high-pressure regulator is required for a propane torch to control the gas flow from the tank’s valve to the torch. The gas tank and torch are serious safety threats if there is no regulator.
Is there a difference between oxygen and acetylene regulators?
The pressure of acetylene from any conventional commercial cylinder with pressures up to 500 psi is controlled using an acetylene pressure regulator (3447.5 kPa). The design of an acetylene regulator is similar to that of an oxygen regulator, however it cannot resist such high pressures.
On the inlet side of the regulator, the high-pressure gauge is graduated from 0 to 500 psi (3447.5 kPa). The acetylene gas cylinder pressure is indicated via the high-pressure gauge. On the regulator’s outlet side, the low-pressure gauge is graduated from 0 to 30 psi (207 kPa). At pressures greater than 15 psi, acetylene should not be utilized (103.4 kPa).