O/A mistake, safety questions

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OK, so I didn't pay attention to the numbers and withdrew too much acetylene for my tank size (145 cf).  I was using a Smith rosebud tip (MT603 if you care) that draws 28 SCFPH.  1/10 of 145, 14.5.... you get the idea.   I ended up with acetone coming out the tip after the flame extinguished itself.  No popping or flashbacks.  Both regulators were set a 15 psi as per the manual (I did read THAT part).Now, my problem, what do I do with my equipment if anything?  Do I need to have it serviced/cleaned to get the acetone out?  Can I purge it and just blow it out.  Can this be done with compressed air? Is there enough oil in compressed air to harm the regulator?How long do I need to let the acetylene tank sit before using it again?  I assume the contents need to settle.Lesson, just because its a MEDIUM duty torch set, and a MEDIUM sized acetylene tank, doesn't mean they are matched, DUH!Thank you,Charley
Reply:I would not use compressed air. To flush system: Turn OFF acetaline bottle at the valve. Open acetalyne valve on the torch set. Now, turn on oxygen. The oxygen will purge the line. Acetone evaporates quickly, and leaves no harmful residue. Roll back the pressure on the guages, and then test with low pressure, and build back to operating range. In the future, I would turn that acetalyne down to 11 PSI. No sense in tempting fate. I have had a flaming dragon before, after a student in a shop class wound the acet. up sky high with an almost empty bottle. I put on a new bottle, and We got the flame out, and the shop teacher simply sat us all down, and said " If YOU touch the tool, YOU are responsible for operating it. Never trust ANY machine that you have not set up to run yourself." That was the end of the discussion, and we were free to go back to work. Now, I just run my acetaline a little on the low side of the red zone, just in case!!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:I got a PM today asking for me to clarify the process; I am sorry I should have been more complete on that. (Last thing I want is to get someone cooked on accident.) The easy way to backpurge the line so it can clear is to DISCONNECT The acetalyne line from the bottle. Now, you can cap the torch tip with only a finger. Turn on the oxygen and acetalyne dials on the torch, and you will purge straight out the acetalyne line in a few quick seconds. You can point the line at the floor, and when you see it run dry, you are dry. Acetone evaporates very fast, and you will be good to star over from scratch.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Of course O2 backpurge wouldn't work if the torch is equipped with flash back arrestors.Regardless, I'd have serious concerns with the O2 back-purge. Mostly because the residual oxygen from the purge could make for a very volatile mix in the torch handle and hose line. You'd definitely want to be 100% positive that the acetylene line and fuel side of the torch handle are cleared of all oxygen before attempting to light the torch.A safer way to clear acetone from the fuel line would be gravity drain of the hose, and maybe a shot of shop air, or inert gas, or even fuel gas.
Reply:Of course O2 backpurge wouldn't work if the torch is equipped with flash back arrestors.
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