Device and operation of the
generator The device of the acetylene generator is simple, the main elements are as follows:
- housing;
- gas generator - in it occurs the interaction of water and calcium carbide;
- capacity for acetylene;
- check valve - restricts the release of gas;
- shutter - holds the outside of the blast wave while burning;
- regulator of the amount of gas produced.
The principle of the acetylene generator is based on the decomposition of calcium carbide during the interaction with ordinary water. During the chemical reaction, acetylene and heat are released.
What is the difference between acetylene generators?
The classification of acetylene generators is based on the following characteristics: the pressure of the produced gas, the productivity, the method of application, as well as the method of combining calcium carbide and the triggering reaction of H2O.
According to the produced pressure, there are generators of low or medium level - up to 0,01 MPa or up to 0,15 MPa. In performance, generators are divided into 10 varieties from 1.25 to 640 m3 / h. The method of application divides the devices into stationary and mobile ones. Stationary can have any performance, and mobile - only up to 3 m3 / h.
By the method of interaction of substances of the device are:
- KB - carbide is added to water, the reaction reduces the amount of dry matter;
- VC - water is poured onto carbide, the variable parameter is the amount of water;
- BB - displacement of water, the generator itself represents a combined device with communicating vessels, carbide and water react periodically, when the evolved gas allows a new portion of water to penetrate into the compartment with the powder.
Welding generator acetylene can be used by anyone suitable for a specific task. The most popular model of the mobile device is the acetylene generator ASP-10.It is used for gas flame treatment of metal: cutting, welding, spraying or soldering.
Used ASP-10 for external and internal works, it functions well at a temperature of -10 to +40 оС.The weight of the device is about 16 kg, creates at the hour 1.5 m3 of acetylene at a pressure of 0.1-1.5 atm. At one time, carbide can be loaded into it up to 3.2 kg, the size of the pieces from 25 to 80 mm.
Can I build such a device myself?
How to make a homemade acetylene generator? It would seem that everything is simple - to combine carbide with water. But this creates a "rattling mixture," which explodes if mistreated. Folk craftsmen sometimes produce an acetylene generator with their own hands.
A steel case the size of an oxygen cylinder is divided into two parts: carbide is placed in one part, in the other - water. Water drips onto the carbide through a dropper, the resulting acetylene leaves through the hose. This extremely dangerous device is threatened with an explosion at any moment.
In industrial designs, there are always reverse and safety valves, as well as flame retardants. In "home" devices, the most important thing is to create a flame arrester or a water trap. The latter is arranged in the same way as in the hookah: the gas freely passes through the water, and the flame can not pass back. This device protects "homemade" from the explosion. Without such protection home-grown "Kulibin" risks life and health.
The main drawback of generators is the pressure jumps of acetylene. These pressure fluctuations are due to different rates of chemical reaction at a given moment. It affects the air temperature, the area of the core, the degree of contamination of carbide and many other reasons.
Homemade generator does not pass any tests and certifications, no one studies a particular sample for the purpose of explosion hazard. Therefore, the use of such devices is best avoided, all the more so since there are always available on the market certified acetylene generators or cylinders with ready-made gas.
