Acetylene Storage

Acetylene (C2H2) is an inflammable gas commonly used for welding in small-scale industries. Even though it is very common, this gas is an extremely dangerous material. Acetylene is classified as a flammable compressed gas which can, under certain conditions, decompose into its constituent elements of carbon and hydrogen with explosive results. The explosive range of the gas, when mixed with air, is from 2.5% to 82%, the widest of any commonly used gas. Hence, proper procedures for handling and storing acetylene gas should be understood and followed.

 

Improper storage/handling of compressed gases can lead to serious fires, explosions or releases due to pressure buildup in cylinders or reactivity with other materials. It should be stored in a separate fuel compound, since, acetylene and air form an explosive mixture. As a compressed gas, the cylinders used to store it must be of steel construction and meet certain requirements such as hydrostatic testing. 

 

When Storing Acetylene...
An acetylene cylinders should be protected by pressure release devices, which normally consists of a fusible plug located at the bottom of the cylinder. It should not be combined with any object that contains more than 70% copper as a highly explosive compound is formed. Nor, should it be stored or used at pressures greater than 15 psi, though some of the cylinder pressures are rated for 250 psi but this is acceptable only when the gas is dissolved in acetone. Several other guidelines that should be followed while storing Acetylene are :-