RI 4196 Effect of Hydrocarbons and Other Gases Upon the Explosibility of Acetylene

Information relative to the explosibility of acetylene at elevated pressures and means of handling acetylene safely under these conditions is of considerable interest at present. American practice limits the pressure at which acetylene may be generated and distributed to poiIits of' use. The pressure in portable acetylene generators is 15 pounds per square inch gage. Tests made by the Bureau of Mines have shown that 15 pounds per square inch gage is too high to prevent explosiofiS of gaseous acetylene in the absence of air; in fact, dry acetylene gai can be exploded at pressures greater than 5.9 pounds per square inch gage. The Bureau has been interested in the explosibility of acetylene for many years because of its continued: use for illumination in many metal mines and its general use in cutting 1illd~--eldifigoperations in the mining maus-try.