Stupid Acetylene Question
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Stupid Acetylene Question
Does acetylene go bad or break down over time? I know a guy who has a couple tanks of acetylene and oxygen that is probably 15 or more years old. Is it safe? Stable? Okay to use?
I, I mean he, needs to do some cutting but would hate to do something dangerous. The tanks are stored upright anyway, he knows that much.
I, I mean he, needs to do some cutting but would hate to do something dangerous. The tanks are stored upright anyway, he knows that much.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the gas will be fine. my bottles are 25 years and counting since their last refill.
the main problem falls into the fact some will say the bottles are not safe since they have not been static pressure tested in over 10 years, which is the industry standard for bottle testing.
the main problem falls into the fact some will say the bottles are not safe since they have not been static pressure tested in over 10 years, which is the industry standard for bottle testing.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by tjc transport
the gas will be fine. my bottles are 25 years and counting since their last refill.
the main problem falls into the fact some will say the bottles are not safe since they have not been static pressure tested in over 10 years, which is the industry standard for bottle testing.
the main problem falls into the fact some will say the bottles are not safe since they have not been static pressure tested in over 10 years, which is the industry standard for bottle testing.
Actually the bottles are getting static tested every day sitting in the shed.
The exchange is usually around $25- How much is knowing it's ok worth?
If I am going to empty them I would much rather use the gas to cut something as opposed to just putting them out in the yard and slowly venting them.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Around here anyway, last time I bought an acetyline refill, it was more like $50...
The gas should be fine as long as it has been standing upright. If it has been laying down, be sure to have it standing for a few days before using.
The gas should be fine as long as it has been standing upright. If it has been laying down, be sure to have it standing for a few days before using.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Calgary Canada
The gas will be fine. If I were you, I'd visually inspect the exterior of the tanks for corrosion. If there are signs of rust, you may want to try and empty them sooner rather than later.
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Postmaster
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From: North of Boston MA
Yeah, the corroding tanks are my biggest concern. I keep an eye on them and so far they just have some surface rust that looks like it is only affecting the paint.
In case anyone is wondering (and so noone thinks I stole the tanks), my father used to buy the acetylene at work and always had a couple sets of tanks since we used quite a bit back then - we had a pretty active little car fix up operation going.
So, he retired and still had the tanks and figured he would return them when they were empty. But, the company sold off the plant and at that point he didn't worry about the tanks. He eventually gave the whole setup to me. He retired in 1992 so I know how old they are.
Thanks for all the help and advice.
In case anyone is wondering (and so noone thinks I stole the tanks), my father used to buy the acetylene at work and always had a couple sets of tanks since we used quite a bit back then - we had a pretty active little car fix up operation going.
So, he retired and still had the tanks and figured he would return them when they were empty. But, the company sold off the plant and at that point he didn't worry about the tanks. He eventually gave the whole setup to me. He retired in 1992 so I know how old they are.
Thanks for all the help and advice.
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From: Hendersonville, TN
Minor surface rust is not a problem. As long as there is no pitting, you're OK. The testing that is done to the high pressure tanks is hydrostatic testing. They are submerged in a tank of water and then pressurized to about 4 times their normal pressure (around 10,000psi). The stretch of the metal is checked, and if within spec, they are stamped for another 10 years. This testing is not done on the acetylene tanks. Their capacity is tested compared to the original volume to see it the honeycomb has deteriorated. Once it has they are scrapped, otherwise they are re-used. Some deterioration is normal, and a tank that started out as a 154CF rating might go as low as 88CF before it is retired. You should be fine, but clean 'em up before you go to swap 'em, so you don't end up eating the re-test fee.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Bossier City, LA
I think its 10 fills (retest and new valve) on the high pressure bottles, if memory serves me correctly. The oxygen bottles should be just fine. If the acetelyne bottles are kinda iffy, scrap them. Another alternative to acelelyne (as it has gotten very expensive in the past several years) would be propane. Different tips are all thats required and you would be supprised how cheap you can ge a 100# new bottle and fill for. $80 for the bottle, 40-50 for the fill, if you fill it all the way up. They will put as little or as much as you want in it if cash is tight.
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by mrxlh
Another alternative to acelelyne would be propane. Different tips are all thats required and you would be supprised how cheap you can ge a 100# new bottle and fill for. $80 for the bottle, 40-50 for the fill
Will the regulators work with the propane tank? What pressures should I use for cutting? What kind of tips do I need for the torch?
Thanks.
Ray
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From: Bossier City, LA
Regulator is the same. *you are supposed to use "T" grade hose with propane* however I have never had a problem with regular grade hose. If the hose is old, I would change it out anyway before putting the rig back into service.
Same pressures as well for the propane. (5-7 on fuel and 30-40 on oxy depending on tip size) Propane takes a tad longer to preheat for the cut, but cuts cleaner (less slag) and is hotter over a larger area, which makes it much better to use than acetelyne when using a rosebud for big jobs. What torch do you have? I'll look up the tips for you.
Same pressures as well for the propane. (5-7 on fuel and 30-40 on oxy depending on tip size) Propane takes a tad longer to preheat for the cut, but cuts cleaner (less slag) and is hotter over a larger area, which makes it much better to use than acetelyne when using a rosebud for big jobs. What torch do you have? I'll look up the tips for you.
Last edited by mrxlh; Sep 6, 2007 at 09:50 PM.
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From: Bossier City, LA
It burns hotter over a larger area, wheras acetelyne is very concentrated. The only difference you will notice between the 2 is how quick you can start the cut. (couple seconds longer with the propane)