Acetylene Flashcards
When acetylene begins to decompose what two constituent elements does it break down into?
Hydrogen and Carbon
Why is acetylene a hazard if involved in a fire?
It’s decomposes when exposed to extreme heat. This process itself produces heat (exothermic) meaning it can continue to decompose and produce heat after the fire has been extinguished
How can acetylene be identified at an incident?
Maroon coloured cylinders
Labels marking it out as acetylene
What are the flammable limits of acetylene?
Between 2.5% and 80%
What are the hazards if an acetylene cylinder fails due to decomposition?
Explosion with a fireball up to 25m
Cylinder can be thrown up to 150m
Sharper from the cylinder can be thrown up to 200m
Operationally, how long should an acetylene cylinder be cooled for during the cooling phase?
1 hour
Operationally - How do you test the acetylene cylinder is cooled sufficiently during the cooling phase?
Interrupt cooling. Apply water and observe if it stays or steams off.
Operationally - how long should the monitoring phase last for?
Checks every 15 mins for one hour.
Acetylene at realistic fill pressures has to reach what temperature, approx, to initiate decomposition
300 degrees
Acetylene cylinders differ from other compressed gas cylinders in that they contain a filler material, known as a porous mass. They also contain a solvent which the acetylene dissolves into and is held by it in a stable condition. What typically is the solvent
Acetone
Acetylene is naturally odourless but industrial impurities can lead to a smell of that?
Garlic
Acetylene is slightly heavier than air, true or false?
False. It’s lighter
Some of the hazards with acetylene are?
It is highly flammable
In low concentrations, it may bring on similar effects to narcotics
In high concentrations, it may lead to asphyxiation
If the cylinder is leaking what advice does the flow chart give?
Do not move the cylinder
Allow it to vent safely
Consider protecting the surrounding risks with water
Acetylene is slightly heavier than air, true or false?
False