Fuel Gases Understanding Fuel Gas Properties

Major Fuel Gases used in the United States Today

Acetylene: Most Recognized Fuel Gas

Propylene: Offered by most Welding Distributors inU.S marketed under various
names (i.e. HPG, AG gas, LinGas and numerous other names).
Propane/Natural Gas: Used extensively in the Scrap Industry and Steel Mills
for Preheat fuel
Chemtane: Basically propane with an additive

Facts About Acetylene

Flame Temperature (neutral flame) 5720F

Btus/cu.ft. - 1490
Maximum safe working pressure - 15psi
Volume to weight ratio ft 3/lb - 14.6
Widely excepted as the best fuel gas
One of distributors greatest $ ROI

Facts about Propylene

Flame Temperature (neutral flame) - 5240F

Btus/cu.ft. - 2371
Maximum safe working pressure Cylinder
Volume to weight ratio ft3/lb - 9.7
By-Product of the Petro/Chem Industry
Marketed under various names HPG, AG and up to 72 different brand names
Competes directly with Propane

Facts about Propane/Natural Gas (Methane)

Flame Temperature (neutral flame) - 4700F

Btus/cu.ft. - 2498
Maximum safe working pressure - Cylinder
Volume to weight ratio ft3/lb - 8.7
Cost primary reason for use over the years
Easily accessible throughout the U.S and the World

Cross Reference Chart

BTU release area is a critical consideration

Acetylene releases a majority of its BTUs in the Primary flame which is why
Acetylene has a concentrated heat output
- Acetylene has a maximum withdrawal rate which must be considered.
This is determined by the cylinder size.

Propane/NG releases the majority of its BTUs in the secondary flame and has a
more soaking type heat, without the withdrawal issues Acetylene has.
- Victor has a solution to offer concentrated heat using alternative fuel
(the CHT Adapter see below)

Victor CHT Adapter (0312-0089)

For heating applications when a concentrated heat is desired (great for straightening, bending
and forming of plate). The adapter is attached to a multi-flame elbow and mixer, and then a
cutting tip is attached to the adapter using a standard tip nut. The cutting tip is then transformed
into a concentrated heating tip with mixed gases flowing through all orifices. The center cutting
stream is transformed in to a concentrated heating stream that can be adjusted to get whatever
desired length the operator chooses. Different sized tips can be used depending on the heat

desired. It is recommended that the CHT Adapter be used only with alternative fuels with an HPP
or HPN model tip (size 5 is good for most applications).

What do all these fuel gases do and which one is best?

When mixed with Preheat Oxygen they all produce a flame

Temperature higher than the melting point of the Metal to be oxidized and gets
the metal to a fluid point
All of the commercially available Fuel Gases have a high enough flame
temperature to achieve the desired results
When Cutting, the real work is being done by the Cutting
Misunderstandings on just what the Preheat Flames do have caused confusion
and wrong conclusion for a number of years in our industry

Answer:

No single Fuel gas is right for every job or customer

Alternative Fuel can not be used for gas welding applications
The End-User needs to evaluate their applications, and test the fuel gas that they
think will do their jobs