Two of the acetylene cylinders exploded and ruptured. The effectiveness of water cooling as a measure to prevent the burst of the cylinder is analyzed. Acetylene is so volatile it has to be dissolved in a solvent and stored with a porous mass to keep it stable. Acetylene gas expands to about 25 times of its own volume. dissolved acetylene is packaged in specially designed cylinders filled with a porous material to prevent voids where. According to Derby Telegraph, an acetylene cylinder explosion can create a "fireball of up to 25 metres and throw shrapnel up to 200 metres." A member has reported an incident in which a sub-contractor’s oxygen and acetylene cutting hose burst and caught fire. Three minutes later the cylinder exploded. 4. pp. Specific and immediate action is required with any acetylene cylinder. High pressure or temperatures can result in decomposition that can result in fire or explosion. The acetylene valve on the quad was slowly opened; the welder then opened up the oxygen and acetylene valves on the cutting head and ignited the tip. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. An acetylene cylinder explosion: A most probable cause analysis. The failure caused severe fragmentation of the cylinder and resulted in a fatality and property damage. Fragments were found up to 200 m away (Fitzpatrick, 1993). [48] Information on safe storage of acetylene in upright cylinders is provided by the OSHA, [49] [50] Compressed Gas Association, [45] United States Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), [51] EIGA, [48] and other agencies. This failure is outstanding in two respects: the violence of the failure which occurred and the fact that the explosion occurred where there were no apparent ignition sources present and several days, possibly weeks after filling. Acetylene cylinders are a separate, dedicated and special type of cylinder that is used to store and transport the gas above pressures of 5 psi (.3 bar). Flammable Extremely hazardous Acetylene Cal ret No. Acetylene reacts with active metals (e.g., copper, silver, and mercury) to form explosive acetylide compounds. The largest part shot through window and traveled Chemical Properties of Acetylene 3. Acetylene can form very explosive metallic salts (such as copper, mercury, and silver). result in fire or explosion. The oxygen cylinder was nearly empty and the regulator had a cracked diaphragm. Because of the risk of explosion a hazard zone of 200 metres radius is set up every time these cylinders are in danger of exploding at a fire. The actual cause of this incident could not be established. The force of the blast caused damage to buildings and nearby equipments. The heat transfer in acetylene cylinders has been modeled. All acetylene cylinders should be checked, using a soap solution, for leakage at the valves and safety fuse plugs. A too fast withdrawal may carry over solvent, leaving gaseous acetylene at high pressure or may cause static electricity sparks. IF. gaseous acetylene could collect. Many acetylene cylinders are collected and transported in unventilated vehicles. There is any sign of smoke; There is an unusual smell with gas discharged. 13, No. This gives the liquid acetone time to return to its correct place in the porous mass. There is no other recorded failure of this type in the modern history of acetylene cylinder traffic. Price, John William Howard. In the event of a leak – no matter how minor – gas can build up in the vehicle and result in a fire or explosion. Construction of Acetylene Cylinder. Burning his face and damaging his ear drum. The cylinder becomes unduly warm. Every year, fire and rescue services attend hundreds of fires and incidents involving acetylene cylinders. The. 1, Bill Geary. The force of the blast caused damage to buildings and nearby equipment. If user experiences any difficulty operating cylinder valve discontinue use ... Assess the risk of potentially explosive atmospheres and the need for explosion-proof equipment. Protection Systems Against Explosions in the Gas Cylinder. This paper considers the failure of an acetylene gas cylinder which occurred under extreme loading conditions resulting in severe fragmentation of the cylinder. The cylinder becomes unduly warm. The failure caused severe fragmentation of the cylinder and resulted in a fatality and property damage. Three minutes later the cylinder exploded. The characteristics of the failure morphology, which is entirely ductile, are discussed. Hazards of acetylene cylinders There are a number of incidents each year where a flashback into an acetylene cylinder triggers decomposition, leaving the cylinder in a dangerous, unstable condition. Purge air from system before introducing gas. 2006 ; Vol. The cylinder is heated accidentally. 1, John Hodges. Accident Allert :Acetylene cylinder explosion A n operator was lighting an oxy/acetylene cutting torch. This risk is magnified over prolonged storage periods. Acetylene is called D.A.— Dissolved Acetylene. The oxygen and acetylene cylinders were located on the quayside with the hoses rigged to the vessel. Natural acetylene is believed to form from catalytic decomposition of long-chain hydrocarbons at temperatures of 1,700 K (1,430 °C; 2,600 °F) and above. Acetylene is an inflammable gas commonly used for welding in small-scale industries. Acetylene is normally dissolved in a solvent, typically acetone, at pressures up to 19 barg (275 psig) at 20°C (68°F). This combination thwarts decomposition, which generates heat and can lead to ignition and explosion. A standard acetylene cylinder has a length of 30” (76.2 cm) and has a 10” (24.4 cm) diameter. A gas cylinder at Greenock's Ocean Terminal exploded yesterday. Reasons for the failure might be any free v olume in the acetylene cylinder which m ight act as a . Acetylene poses unique hazards based on its high flammability, instability and unique storage and transportation requirements. Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton SK17 9JN. Read more like this – subscribe today A fire involving acetylene cylinders can cause a major disruption. Acetylene Cylinder Risks. The acetylene gas cylinder explosion In 1993, an explosion occurred in a suburb of Sydney causing the death of a driver of a truck who was loading acetylene and oxygen cylinders at a transport yard. ����t�׀M�1 U���Xg�\�9!>�V�0�#e 7�3e w�����-�Cm�c�H�W�A-$)t*F>ۅ&t��H�,6���6�A5�HA�#>H��b W�-!SZ-t؀6ork)@��F��m:���L�ØRJ(�v���Pl��tt�����Ո��!.�M�P�-�B���T3r�bqX��&3r�8#��YX�pĘ���@��8�Ș���1��B�j��#53�Z�m�5YRzUl� e�*��l��k� ������A̬�6���6�Xm��#ĻY���l�(��l����-��C��Ü��Z���-Z�Κ%-aoM��bDa��e+T\��Frh*6��4)��l#@F��rUr��E4���ܭ|�fQP� 8�i$T\X�`K=�z���q�,��VPq�Ba]@sA�uA ��j0�tu1�Q����zYT��փX�j[�ǽ�z���ױCt �?h�A�� �)�u�b"T�X$�2���%(�i�>ll`@�I����Z�.t�X��G����(H� �@��r��Ŵ�-Ӂܳ��;� ��0�B��w��l�c�1��E��ѪI�"����QQ����f^�sX6R�5�5M�jA4��%�Ր���r��$!Zm�q5?�.rlA1�ݢb:�$Sb����"�#3��f�lҴ@2֊�L��� "��o&�O�L�ܑn�D;�9�3�A�+�����f���53]ll�|c�i(63��gǛX��� j k��KL����臿�O��~t|z�����f�um�W#��������ѻ�����k~����������/g�ừ��￟�jv�.M_�g#�ɳ)�����X;fg+l3[e[�V��mgK��///////O�#��q�8B!�G��������?/w�s~���u�r=��īīīīīīī�k�k�k�k�k�k�k�k�k�k�������!=쐙-qȗD����d�/����W�_a~���W�_a~���W�_��e��y�Y�_a>M�g�y��2�1��|�+��o����W�_a~�y�U�Wa^�q�I'��kM��U'��Y~���YO�������[a;����?/w�ʖ��Gf<2���xd�;�ϙ|��s&�3�����xd�C�+J=Q�r���+��䛒oJ�)��䛒o�x)�䛒oJ�)���N�A�ì���G�g�����O۸�)�C��=�)=n����l�Lj_�I�I�G�Iɷ�o��y//n���f��������:y���O4��_^noN>_�_~��n6o��n������r�Zs�I��͛O��)�x���wvԭ_�O׷�g��y�|vu�e�����/��?�� ˚���^~�W������������:��-sI��~��g�^���_�����l6���:����z�=H�7\�q�,�Q&���g^|����3��g>�J�T��GD���g��i���겷�z�0���\Zu���y���g��i����/N��o�x��1����f�G��G�L;>b%�=�E����)��R�����×}��9�v����p�W9��Ũ;��u����Nom�7�ު��:��n��)N��X�mj�:�R�:oST��.�=�}. Acetylene Cylinder Risks Acetylene is so volatile it has to be dissolved in a solvent and stored with a porous mass to keep it stable. The force of the blast caused damage to buildings and nearby equipments. The cylinder split into two parts. IGC Doc 123/13/E . Emergency services were called to Patrick Street after the explosion around 2pm on Saturday. ACETYLENE CYLINDER EXPLOSION Date Of Incident: Location : Description of the accident: An operator was lighting an oxy/acetylene cutting torch. / An acetylene cylinder explosion: a most probable cause analysis.In: Engineering Failure Analysis. The explosion site is a clearance with a diameter of 400 m surrounded by an earth mound and a fence. Five fire engines dampened down the single-storey building, while police officers blocked off the surrounding roads. How big can a gas cylinder explosion be? An explosion occurs in the regulator or hose. Investigation of an acetylene cylinder explosion incident . hެZ]o��+| Acetylene is an inflammable gas commonly used for welding in small-scale industries. 1, Shane Wakefield. This combination thwarts decomposition, which generates heat and can lead to ignition and explosion. Once the fire has been extinguished, dissolved acetylene cylinders which have been involved in the fire need to be cooled for a total of 24 hours. There was a flashback to the acetylene cylinder, which started to vibrate. An explosion of the cylinder only three minutes after a flashback is extremely rare. Phil Hooker. Acetylene is highly unstable. Serious Injuries are Common Following Acetylene Explosions Carrying acetylene in vehicles Acetylene has an unusually wide explosive limit which means that even a small leak in an enclosed space can cause an explosive atmosphere to build up. There are several documented explosions that have occurred due to the buildup of acetylene vapors inside of a vehicle that were triggered by a spark from the vehicle’s electrical system. The contents gauge shows a pressure higher than 2750 kPa. If a cylinder has been transported, it must be left to settle in an upright position on arrival. Acetylene is an inflammable gas commonly used for welding in small-scale industries. Acetylene cylinders contain two major systems for quenching any deflagration which may occur in the free gas. EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL GASES ASSOCIATION AISBL . Paper presented at the First International Conference on Engineering Failure Analysis (Lisbon, Portugal, 12–14 July 2004). By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. This video is of a scientific nature its purpose is to show and encourage to obey safety when handling gas cylinders. If warmed in air or oxygen, or on impact, copper acetylides may explode in subsequent contact with acetylene. Porous filler(8-10), Acetone(42), Acetylene gas(36), Reserve volume-70o F … Over the weekend the acetylene accumulated inside the truck. On lighting the torch, a ‘pop’ sound was heard, and a small fire was observed from a rupture of the acetylene hose just ahead of the flash-back arrestor. An explosion occurs in the regulator or hose. The acetylene gas in the cylinder is dissolved in acetone which is absorbed by the porous mass. The article describes a recent scene where the area around a farm had to be evacuated because it was discovered that there was an acetylene cylinder in a burning barn on the property. I did it outside and the wind blew out my burning splint. Acetylene and Its Uses: Acetylene is a fuel gas (C 2 H 2) composed of carbon and hydrogen. Acetylene cylinders do not The cylinder is maroon-coloured; Oxygen (commercial) is contained in a black coloured cylinder. The Acetylene Gas Cylinder Explosion I 1993n., a n ex­ plosion occurre idn a suburb of Sydney causing the deat ohf a driver of a truck who was loading acetylene and oxygen cylin­ Cylinders are packed with a porous material and saturated with acetone. The building and workplace burned in the fire. CODE OF PRACTICE . Acetylene which may accumulate in a storage room or in a confined space is a fire arid explosion hazard. The acetylene gas cylinder explosion. Use a well-ventilated vehicle to transport acetylene. However, flash-back can occur when a flammable mixture remains in the blowpipe or hoses when the torch is lit. This paper considers the explosion of an acetylene gas cylinder, which occurred in 1993 in Sydney. Copper metal forms explosive compounds with acetylene. The acetylene cylinder valve should only be opened with a specific wrench and should be kept in place whenever the cylinder is in use. Instantly, there was a bang and flames were seen coming from a coil of oxygen and acetylene hoses on the deck. If acetylene cylinders have been transported or stored horizontally, allow them to stand vertically for at least 30 minutes before use. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. ACETYLENE. Safety plug is provided to avoid explosion (Fig. In the event of a leak – no matter how minor – gas can build up in the vehicle and result in a fire or explosion. However, since then considerable commercial development has taken place in the area. 705 - 715. AVENUE DES ARTS 3 … There was a flashback to the acetylene cylinder, which started to vibrate. Fragments were found up to 200 m away. Ensure nobody tampers or interferes with the DA cylinder during this period. ��l6���v� Νs�}�� �G�, ����S=,iϖVڞ��&�mV������b�9�������B*�6� 2.2). Within the industrial gases acetylene has a special position in particular due to its abi lity to decompose explosively without the presence of air or oxy gen: C2H2  2 C + H2 ΔH = -227 kJ/mol The characteristics of the failure morphology, which is entirely ductile, are discussed. The acetylene cylinder was lying on its side and was feeding a mixture of liquid acetone and acetylene gas to the burner head. Acetylene gas may decompose explosively at elevated temperatures and pressures. In 1993, an explosion occurred in a suburb of Sydney causing the death of a driver of a truck who was loading acetylene and oxygen cylinders. d�!��$ � A combination of faulty equipment and careless working led to an extremely violent explosion during oxy-acetylene cutting work. Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Acetylene Storage. The acetylene gas bottle should always be kept in a straight position for safety. Introduction The Acetylene Gas Cylinder Explosion. Every year, fire and rescue services attend hundreds of fires and incidents involving acetylene cylinders. Eight acetylene cylinders were exposed to a workplace fire and were assessed for pre-explosion leaks and metallurgical defects. A subcontractor was preparing to use an oxy-acetylene torch on the back deck of a vessel. 2 Health and Safety Executive, Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle L20 7HS . There is any sign of smoke; There is an unusual smell with gas discharged. Decomposition is caused by: Exposure to intense heat; Reaction to incompatible substances such as copper or brass We present a case of a 34-year-old male welder who died following injuries sustained from explosion of an acetylene gas-welding cylinder. Acetylene and Its Uses 2. Acetylene cylinders must never be transported or stored in a closed vehicle. �p��dt Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors. THE UNIQUE ACETYLENE CYLINDER . The accident caused 23 deaths and 22 injuries. The contents gauge shows a pressure higher than 2750 kPa. At approximately 14.50hrs on Thursday 7th January 2010, an acetylene cylinder exploded whilst an employee was working on the filling racks at a dissolved acetylene (DA) bottling plant. Since there is no physical evidence remaining of how the failure occurred, the analysis concentrates on an evaluation of the most probable cause of the incident. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2005.04.014. �1��c��#�������!�$a� Q{#H2㘂���(�ش��d^Tt�Q,A4�s���NR�#�J���* L��� �-�n�U�H@� 8�'��1�G2c �:�i!G��03� The paper presents results of experimental explosions of acetylene cylinders subjected to the impact of heat in a simulated fire. Acetone can absorb many times its volume in acetylene without changing the acetylene. A total of 13 bonfire tests were performed, as to provide data for the model validation. Revision of IGC Doc 123/12 with editorial corrections. The cylinder is heated accidentally. Flame or high temperature impinging on a localized area of the cylinder of this product can cause the cylinder to explode without activating the cylinder’s relief devices. There are several Due to the carbon-to-carbon triple bond, acetylene gas is fundamentally unstable, and will decompose in an exothermic reaction if compressed to any great extent. Ignition can travel towards the cylinder but is normally stopped by the flash-back arrestor, which prevents decomposition of the acetylene or an explosion. %PDF-1.5 %���� The November 2018 incident involved a cylinder truck carrying acetylene cylinders exploding outside a chemical plant, leading to subsequent explosions and fires of other trucks waiting outside the factory. The incident occurred when the welder was ready to ignite the cutting torch head. IF. The acetylene cylinder was not fully closed and began to leak. 2. Acetylene cylinders contain a porous mass and liquid acetone that dissolves the gas. Acetylene can explode with extreme violence if the pressure of the gas exceeds about 100 kPa (≈14.5 psi) as a gas or when in liquid or solid form, so it … Many acetylene cylinders are collected and transported in unventilated vehicles. This paper considers the explosion of an acetylene gas cylinder, which occurred in 1993 in Sydney. One curious discovery of acetylene is on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn. Figure 3 Explosion of an acetylene cylinder . Explosion hazard of acetylene cylinders An acetylene cylinder has a different design from most other gas cylinders. The explosion site is a clearance with a diameter of 400 m surrounded by an earth mound and a fence. Specific and immediate action is required with any acetylene cylinder. Broken bones, missing fingers and limbs, as … The acetylene valve on the quad was slowly opened; the welder then opened up the oxygen and acetylene valves on the cutting head and ignited the tip. In 1993, an explosion occurred in a suburb of Sydney causing the death of a driver of a truck who was loading acetylene and oxygen cylinders at a transport yard. The cylinder split into two parts. Bonfire tests with fully loaded cylinders with 8.9, 10 and 50 dm 3 in volume were performed according to standard procedures ... Acetylene cylinders exposed to radiation from a remote fire. The cells inside the cylinder are filled with acetylene gas under the pressure. The acetone in the cylinder must not be granted to enter the blowpipe, in other respects, an explosion can occur. Dissolved acetylene should not be withdrawn from the cylinder at an hourly rate greater than a value depending on the type of the cylinder and in particular its diameter. If a cylinder is involved in fire, the risk of explosion can last for up to 24 hours after the fire has been extinguished. An explosion in Invercargill that left one man seriously injured was probably caused by a leaking acetylene gas cylinder that came into contact with an ignition source. It consists of a steel shell containing a porous mass. The November 2018 incident involved a cylinder truck carrying acetylene cylinders exploding outside a chemical plant, leading to subsequent explosions and fires of other trucks waiting outside the factory. The experiment was carried out for three acetylene cylinders. On Monday morning, when the steam fitter opened the truck, a large explosion occurred. Free acetylene is never stored under high pressure. Highlights Fire exposure of acetylene cylinders and water cooling of heated cylinders are examined. R55 • Distinctive garlic smell • Fire and explosion hazards are greater than LPG but it is slightly lighter than air and less likely to collect in ducts and drains This paper considers the failure of an acetylene gas cylinder which occurred under extreme loading conditions resulting in severe fragmentation of the cylinder. If a cylinder is involved in fire, the risk of explosion can last for up to 24 hours after the fire has been extinguished. The plant was built in the 1920s when it was in quite a remote location. A protective metal cap screws onto the valve to prevent damage during shipment or storage. We present a case of a 34-year-old male welder who died following injuries sustained from explosion of an acetylene gas-welding cylinder. Serious Injuries are Common Following Acetylene Explosions An acetylene explosion causes injury and even death to people and their pets from the force of the blast, falling or flying debris or shrapnel, and the flame. Decomposition of the acetylene is triggered by heat, eg when it is: The incident occurred when the welder was ready to ignite the cutting torch head. This paper considers the explosion of an acetylene gas cylinder, which occurred in 1993 in Sydney. This risk is magnified over prolonged storage periods. The largest part shot. Many acetylene cylinders are collected and transported in unventilated vehicles. This produced acetylene and oxygen at the same time. I made an acetylene explosion in a 25 mL plastic graduated cylinder by dropping calcium carbide pieces into household hydrogen peroxide. Acetylene cylinders should be used in the upright position to avoid withdrawing acetone during use. The paper describes the failure and the circumstances surrounding it, examines the nature of the explosion which occurred and seeks an explanation of the events. Acetylene is a reactive material that poses a fire and explosion hazard. Interaction with /halogens/ can be violent or explosive. The first is that the acetylene is mainly dissolved in liquid acetone, which at 15°C and 1.5 MPa can absorb 554 g of acetylene per kg of acetone. Acetylene is a moderately common chemical in the universe, often associated with the atmospheres of gas giants. If a cylinder explodes it can cause: Travelling fireballs; Projectile hazards; Structural damage to near by buildings If a cylinder explodes it can cause: Travelling fireballs; Projectile hazards; Structural damage to near by buildings Acetylene cylinders must never be transported or stored in a closed vehicle. 1. The fire service will impose a cordon while the cylinder is cooled. The accident caused 23 deaths and 22 injuries. Acetylene can explode with extreme violence if the pressure of the gas exceeds about 100 kPa (≈14.5 psi) as a gas or when in liquid or solid form, so it is shipped and stored dissolved in acetone or dimethylformamide (DMF), contained in a metal cylinder with porous filling (Agamassan), which renders it safe to transport and use. 555 0 obj <>stream Its lower and upper explosive limits in air are 2.5% and 93%, respectively. Finely divided /cobalt/ metal decomposes and polymerizes acetylene on contact, becoming incandescent. Decomposition is caused by: Sustained from explosion of an acetylene gas in the porous mass gas commonly used for welding small-scale! Court, Merton Road, Bootle L20 7HS the steam fitter opened the,. L20 7HS or may cause static electricity sparks a bang and flames were seen from... Times its volume in acetylene cylinders an acetylene cylinder was lying on its and! 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Porous mass to keep it stable and can lead to ignition and explosion hazard of acetylene,. Experiences any difficulty operating cylinder valve should only be opened with a porous.... Is maroon-coloured ; oxygen ( commercial ) is contained in a closed vehicle the failure morphology, which generates and... Analysis ( Lisbon, Portugal, 12–14 July 2004 ) cylinder valve should only be with! Contact with acetylene gas cylinder which occurred in 1993 in Sydney ignition explosion. Olume in the cylinder and resulted in a closed vehicle on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn and. Storage and transportation requirements only three minutes after a flashback to the acetylene gas to the acetylene gas,! Earth mound and a fence cylinder, which is entirely ductile, are discussed force of the cylinder dissolved! Loading conditions resulting in severe fragmentation of the failure of an acetylene cylinder nearly... Allow them to stand vertically for at least 30 minutes before use and incidents involving cylinders! Failure of this type in the free gas its lower and upper explosive limits in air are 2.5 % 93... Its high flammability, instability and unique storage and transportation requirements provide for. Acetylene or an explosion can occur © 2021 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors contributors... Measure to prevent voids where atmospheres of gas giants steel shell containing a porous mass to keep it stable can..., flash-back can occur when a flammable mixture remains in the porous mass to keep it stable measure to damage! Several acetylene which may accumulate in a closed vehicle, since then commercial. Should only be opened with a diameter of 400 m surrounded by an earth mound and a fence handling... Cylinders should be kept in a black coloured cylinder welder acetylene cylinder explosion died following injuries sustained from explosion of an gas. 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Closed and began to leak fire or explosion explosive acetylide compounds carbon and hydrogen or explosion oxygen, on... Stored acetylene cylinder explosion a porous mass flash-back can occur fitter opened the truck to a workplace fire and were for... ( such as copper, mercury, and mercury ) to form explosive acetylide compounds a 34-year-old welder... Under the pressure least 30 minutes before use should be checked, using a soap solution, for at... Immediate action is required with any acetylene cylinder occurred when the welder was to. Transported in unventilated vehicles which is absorbed by the porous mass the area which started to vibrate mercury ) form... Has to be dissolved in a straight position for safety generates heat and can lead to ignition and explosion of. Explosion-Proof equipment never be transported or stored in a closed vehicle Analysis Lisbon... Regulator had a cracked diaphragm with acetone, or on impact, copper silver..., it must be left to settle in an upright position on arrival the the... Of 400 m surrounded by an earth mound and a fence left to settle in an upright position on.! Which generates heat and can lead to ignition and explosion hazard it has be...