Inside of an acetylene tank.

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Ever seen the inside of an acetylene tank. I had one that I couldnt get filled anymore so I thought I could build a sand blaster out of it. I cut the top off with a torch and was suprised that that stuff was so hard. But that stuff wont dump out it would take a lot of digging. I cut up a hundred pound propane tank instead. They are hollow. Ha.
Reply:I don't think I would ever cut open an acetylene cylinder, even if it was empty for a long time. What did you do to make sure it wouldn't go boom? Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Nothing, it cant blow if there is no oxygen. It cut nicely.  The propane tank had about a gallon of propane in it after I blowed the first cut then I waited of it to loose pressure and started cutting. I have made hot tie ins before so I wasnt afraid of it.
Reply:I'm amazed you're still here to type this thread!!  I think you might have cheated Darwin.                                      MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:True, but as soon as you expose it to air, you get your O2.I was talking to one of the hydro shop guys after I was burned in that O2 fire. He commented about an accident at one of their other locations. Seems a customer brought in an acetylene cylinder that was "empty", but had a dinged valve that he couldn't get refilled, so he brought it over to have the valve replaced. Anyways for whatever reason, the hydro tech just tossed it in their big vise and took the wrench to the valve. Turns out the cylinder wasn't empty, the valve just was broken. As soon as he popped the valve the acetylene rushed out uncontrollably along with the acetone in the cylinder and he was very seriously burned. The escaping acetylene self ignited as soon as it escaped.Chalk this one up under "Stupid things you have done and lived to tell the tale". You could have easily been killed or seriously injured had there been any acetylene in the cylinder..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:WelderskelterYou live-up to your Avatar.This is the largest volume of disarticulated-asbestos I have ever seen.http://www.cylinderrecycling.com/bro...g%20WP%201.pdfOpus
Reply:I have known for many years about the acetone-and-substrate contents of an acetylene tank. A full tank doesn't weigh much more than an 'empty one. There are some very important limits on how fast you can draw gas becauses of it.That recycling article was quite informative as well.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderskelterNothing, it cant blow if there is no oxygen. It cut nicely.  The propane tank had about a gallon of propane in it after I blowed the first cut then I waited of it to loose pressure and started cutting. I have made hot tie ins before so I wasnt afraid of it.
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbwow..you cut a propane tank with a gallon still left in it,,do you weld gas tanks half full???? osha would have fun with you......good thing your in minesota , so the explosion wont reach me....count your time, I think your living on borrowed time, just do any further cutting alone so you dont hurt anyone..and good luck....
Reply:Thanks for sharing that welderskelter. I always thought the media in acety tanks was bb's or buckshot
Reply:I think a lot of them are a cement based "foam"
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqI think a lot of them are a cement based "foam"
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderskelterNothing, it cant blow if there is no oxygen...
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumFlammable range: Acetylene has a very wide range of flammability. The lower flammable limit (LFL) is typically listed as 2.5% and the upper flammable limit (UFL) is listed as 81%. Although acetylene will not undergo combustion at concentrations above the UFL, it can undergo an explosive decomposition reaction, even at concentrations of 100%.
Reply:Explosive decomposition reaction.......aka detonation.While many folks think oxygen is required for all "explosive events", there are many kinds of violent detonation processes where oxygen plays no role whatsoever.Many of these "anaerobic explosives" require only heat and/or some type of pressure wave or shock to initiate, and from that point on, are self propagating until all reactive materials have been consumed, or blown free from the reaction site.
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderskelterI think the newer ones are. This one may be asbestos. But I am 63 so should be immune to it as I grew up with it everywhere. It was in our schools as insulation.  And as we used to have sonic booms everyday or so I am sure some sifted in on us. Maybe thats why we try to blow ourselves up now. Ha.................
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumFlammable range: Acetylene has a very wide range of flammability. The lower flammable limit (LFL) is typically listed as 2.5% and the upper flammable limit (UFL) is listed as 81%. Although acetylene will not undergo combustion at concentrations above the UFL, it can undergo an explosive decomposition reaction, even at concentrations of 100%.
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4Yeah Acetylene will explode when it hits a certain pressure.Got to look out for those compounds with triple covalent bonds, It makes a high energy fuel but also can make chemicals unstable.
Reply:I guess some folks know how to cut into an acetylene tank but I'd never do it. I let the LWS worry about disposing of old ones. I just exchange them when they get below a certain value. As mentioned above, there is no immunity from asbestos exposure.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:I also do hot tie ins, several per week. I wont touch a propane or acetylene tank with a torch. Ever.
Reply:I cut propane tanks allllll the time.  For propane, the key is to fill with water until it overflows out.  Make sure the air pockets or potential gas pockets are filled with water.  Water is heavier than propane and when flushed, leaves no propane gas.   It's rather very safe and easy to do if one understands some basic basic chemistry.  A torch to an open (valve removed) and completely empty propane tank is no threat when a torch is used on it.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I see no problem whatsoever in cutting tanks that formerly held flammable materials so long as you have a current life and long term disability insurance policy in place.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:I thought it was common knowledge that an acetylene tank was "solid".Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI thought it was common knowledge that an acetylene tank was "solid".