acetylene regulator question

I would buy the correct nipple for the regulator ASAP. My friend cobbled something like this up for a Nitrogen tank and regulator once, it exploded when he opened the valve. The surgeons stitched his hand back together, but he will never have full use of it. I know that Acetylene pressure is less than 300PSI compared to the Nitrogen at 2500PSI or higher, but pressurized gas is not something to mess with.

thanks Ron, good advice. I guess if i have to ask, i already know the answer. I'll get a the longer spud. Acetylene released at 300psi could be catastrophic.

walt

that's odd. Victor lists their regulator as "All brass acetylene regulator (CGA200)" and brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. The fittings I used were brass, same as the regulator. What material do they recommend as acceptable?

walt

BOC (British Oxygen) specify that joints or fittings in contact with acetylene must not be of copper or any alloy containing more than

Jim

hey Ron, picked up the new longer spud from the welding supply store. $3.90... now i dont have to be concerned. thanks again.

walt

I can't say with unequivocal certainty, but most heavily machined fittings are free-machining yellow brass, 37% Zn, 3% Pb, ~59% Cu, which would fit with the requirement below.

Tim

-- "California is the breakfast state: fruits, nuts and flakes." Website:

"Unspecified brass is probably OK - but are you feeling lucky?

Jim"

Not really, that's why i bought a longer spud. The new spud appears to be brass as well, I just thought it odd that copper can make acetylene volatile yet brass is (approx) 70% copper. I dont doubt your statement and I realize "brass" is a bit generic, but it still seems odd. The biggest difference between my "cobbled" extension and the correct regulator spud is the wall thickness (and the fact that it's one piece and not three peices). I realize the cylinder pressure is about 300psi but I will sleep better knowing that the proper application has been applied. Thanks for the insight Jim. walt

That's good! We don't want to hear about you on the news (unless it's something good, of course!)

Verbatim quote with no further info. However "brass" is a pretty elastic term.

From "Casting Brass" CW Ammen :-

Yellow Brasses 63 to 72% Cu Red brasses 83 to 85% Cu Aluminium bronze 81 to 89% Cu

Unspecified brass is probably OK - but are you feeling lucky?

Jim

FYI.

Ken.

Hey Ken, I cant believe more people dont get blown up based on all the warnings that acetylene comes with. I very (maybe twice) seldom have ever heard about acetylene exploding. There are tons of automotive service establishments that use it everyday along with steel fabricating companies, ship yards, etc... But apparently it's a BAD idea to fill rubber balloons with acetylene and store them behind your truck seat. Good old static electricity can be a problem.

Wow. I knew acetylene was dangerous, but I didn't realize it was THAT dangerous. It's amazing that miners used to (and some spelunkers still) wear acetylene generators on their foreheads!

Btw, I'm curious about these two safety statements:

"If this reaction or ignition occurs within the torch base or supply hose it can propagate back into the storage cylinder causing it to explode violently."

"Flame arrestors and check valves should be installed at both the torch base hose connections and at the regulator hose connections."

In light of the former statement, wouldn't you also want a flame arrestor installed at, or within, the cylinder valve?

- Michael