Difference between revisions of "Acetylene"
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| − | '''Acetylene''' (chemical formula C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>) is a flammable gas used for welding and cutting. | + | '''Acetylene''' (chemical formula C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>) is a flammable gas used for welding and cutting. Its low DDT runup distance, high flame front speed, and extreme reactivity generally make it a poor spudgun fuel. The molecule contains an unstable and energetic Carbon - Carbon triple bond that is easily broken. |
| − | Acetylene is a very reactive gas, with a flammability limit of 2.5 to | + | Acetylene is a very reactive gas, with a flammability limit of 2.5 to 82% in air. It can decompose spontaneously with no air present if the pressure of the gas exceeds 15 psi. It is more prone to [[detonation]] than any other gas. Acetylene also has an extremely low ignition energy, and even the static charges developed in plastic pipes could theoretically ignite it. |
| − | In addition to these dangers, the gas doesn't even contain as much energy per volume as [[propane]], it's gross calorific value is 56000 kJ/m<sup>2</sup> as opposed to propane's 101000 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>. The destructive power comes from the extremely rapid release of energy, which creates very high pressure spikes. | + | In addition to these dangers, the gas doesn't even contain as much energy per volume as [[propane]], it's gross calorific value is 56000 kJ/m<sup>2</sup> as opposed to propane's 101000 kJ/m<sup>2</sup>. The destructive power comes from the extremely rapid release of energy, which creates very high pressure spikes. Acetylene can create slightly higher pressure levels than propane, but the fact that propane can be used practically in hybrids, while acetylene cannot, means that this slight pressure advantage isn't really much of an advantage at all. |
[[category:Fuels]] | [[category:Fuels]] | ||
Revision as of 03:12, 5 February 2008
Acetylene (chemical formula C2H2) is a flammable gas used for welding and cutting. Its low DDT runup distance, high flame front speed, and extreme reactivity generally make it a poor spudgun fuel. The molecule contains an unstable and energetic Carbon - Carbon triple bond that is easily broken.
Acetylene is a very reactive gas, with a flammability limit of 2.5 to 82% in air. It can decompose spontaneously with no air present if the pressure of the gas exceeds 15 psi. It is more prone to detonation than any other gas. Acetylene also has an extremely low ignition energy, and even the static charges developed in plastic pipes could theoretically ignite it.
In addition to these dangers, the gas doesn't even contain as much energy per volume as propane, it's gross calorific value is 56000 kJ/m2 as opposed to propane's 101000 kJ/m2. The destructive power comes from the extremely rapid release of energy, which creates very high pressure spikes. Acetylene can create slightly higher pressure levels than propane, but the fact that propane can be used practically in hybrids, while acetylene cannot, means that this slight pressure advantage isn't really much of an advantage at all.
