Handling Oxygen and Acetylene Tanks

The fuel for the oxyacetylene torch reaction is provided by gas fed from separate tanks of oxygen and acetylene, which must be stored and handled correctly if fires and explosions are to be prevented. Of the two, acetylene is the more dangerous, but oxygen presents several hazards and should be treated with respect as well.

The first step to handling the tanks correctly is to realize that although hoses and regulators are color-coded by law, the tanks themselves are not – a curious regulatory oversight, but one which should be duly noted. The label on the tank is the only clue to which gas is inside, so you should make sure that the label is not peeling and replace it promptly if it is. Those tanks lacking a label should be returned to whatever company you use to refill the tanks when they run low.

Whenever possible, the tanks should be chained together to an upright cart, which will keep them upright – an important consideration, because acetylene tanks in particular should never be allowed to lie prone. When the tank is prone, liquid acetylene will collect in the valve, and when this passes up the hose, it will damage your cutting torch and regulator and might even explode. Should your tank be knocked over on its side, then it should not be used until it has stood upright for 6 to 8 hours.

Oxygen cylinders can be emptied completely before they are returned to the supplier for refill, but acetylene cylinders should never be allowed to fall below 10 pounds per square inch (psi), since this can result in liquid acetone being sucked up into your oxyacetylene torch.

When you are returning the cylinders for refills, you should carry them upright in your vehicle, and ensure that a good air supply is reaching the area where they are located. Keeping acetylene in the trunk or in the main part of the car with the windows rolled up could cause an explosion due to leakage, with nothing more than a single spark or the mild current from turning your car ignition on being enough to set the vapor off.

In the United States, many regulations do not apply to cylinders under 40 cubic feet, which will spare you a lot of paperwork. However, appearing at the refill site with the cylinders uncapped is a violation of the law and could result in massive fines, so you should have the cylinders properly closed when you bring them to your supplier.

Although these warnings sound somewhat dire, they simply indicate what the risks of handling your oxyacetylene equipment improperly are. Take proper, common sense precautions and you will be able to use your cutting torch for many years with no accident worse than the occasional singed welding glove from an incautiously aimed flame.