Questions about Propylene

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I was looking at the thread about "owned cylinders" and I decided to take a look at mine that my LWS has "sold" me. I have a few Airgas and only one that is a no name neck. Think a conversation may be in order. But that isn't my question. I have a tank marked Propylene, I got it years ago along with a new cutting tip and hose. I recall something about a factory catching on fire and no acetylene available. I use it for heating stuff and rarely cutting. I know zip about it. So I searched it on this site and found lots about propane but no mention of Propylene that answered my questions. Can anyone tell me what exactly I have. Is it safer than acetylene? Can it be stored on it's side. Does the 1/7 withdrawal rate apply? I've never had any problems with it. Can I use acetylene with the hose? Should I go back to acetylene?Trailblazer 302G12VS Extreme Miller SD180Coolmate 4Miller 251Miller 175Victor OAHypertherm 380Milling MachineLatheBandsaw
Reply:TozziWelding cutting steel with propylene. Propylene does not have any withdrawl rate limitations or a 15psig working pressure a la acetylene.  You'll need T grade hoses.  Propylene is a good O/F source for cutting and heating.  Not for welding, however."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Propane is your common gas with 3 carbon and 8 hydrogen.  Proplylene has a double bond between 2 carbons so that it has only 6 hydrogen.  Organic chemistry goes methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pental a way to remember is: Most engineers prefer blonds.  So methyl has only one carbon and butyl has four.  Natural gas and sewage gases are primarily methane. ...  the bottom of the heat values  When you take away two hydrogens you end up with a gas that burns hotter simply because when you burn hydrogen it forms steam that absorbs the heat of the reaction.  The more carbon you have the hotter it will burn because there is less hydrogen to form steam/water.  So propylene burns a little hotter than propane.  Still not hot enough for melting steel and welding but perfect for oxy-fuel cutting.Video is right on the money.... That height thing is really nice and convenient.  Having to hold the tips of the flame just so is not required with acetylene.  Also you can cheat a bit by giving it a bit more oxy than neutral and it will raise the temperature a bit.  Waiting for the heat to build up is the only disadvantage and it is a small concern.  Insurance underwriters are very happy when you mention that you do not have acetylene on the premises.Last edited by lotechman; 06-12-2016 at 08:37 PM.
Reply:Thanks for the replies. I learned to weld using O/A but have no need to do it anymore. Sounds like its a good way to go for my uses. Are there any prohibitions with laying the tank on its side. The video was great, I'm sold.Trailblazer 302G12VS Extreme Miller SD180Coolmate 4Miller 251Miller 175Victor OAHypertherm 380Milling MachineLatheBandsaw
Reply:Originally Posted by acx780Thanks for the replies. I learned to weld using O/A but have no need to do it anymore. Sounds like its a good way to go for my uses. Are there any prohibitions with laying the tank on its side. The video was great, I'm sold.
Reply:Uses propane cylinders hard to find mapp out of busness there are a few similar gases.Propane just as good cheaper too.
Reply:Shake it to see if its a liquid? I would bet that it isn't a liquid but a gas. In which case you can lay the bottles on their side and still use them.
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininShake it to see if its a liquid? I would bet that it isn't a liquid but a gas. In which case you can lay the bottles on their side and still use them.
Reply:Interesting I learn something here every day Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies.Trailblazer 302G12VS Extreme Miller SD180Coolmate 4Miller 251Miller 175Victor OAHypertherm 380Milling MachineLatheBandsaw
Reply:Thanks! I learned something new too!