Fun with Acetylene=False=false 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
Sorry to submit this way, but I couldn't get into the forum
Okay, for those of you out there looking to kill yourself in a great and fantastic way worthy of a Darwin, here are the proper facts about acetylene. The last message was okay, but inherently flawed as it contained many inaccuracies (sp?).
Statement: Acetylene is not explosive. Truth: Acetylene is most definitely explosive, and in fact reacts very violently with heavy metals (copper, silver, mercury, potassium, etc...) strong oxidizing agents (Nitrates, chlorine, fluorine, peroxides, etc...), and simple oxygen.
Statement: Acetylene cannot be stored above 15 psi. Truth: It most definitely can be stored above such pressures. However, it needs to be infused with a stabilizing agent, usually acetone, and stored in a shock protected cylinder. Commercial acetylene is always shipped this way, and if you could slice open an acetylene tank (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!), you would see it is filled with a fine mesh honeycomb of pourous fibre, used to protect against shock. If one falls over, let it stand upright for about two hours before using, and NEVER use one when upside down.
Acetylene is used because it has a very wide explosive (flamable) range. In fact, very little air is needed to cause a flammable mix. Enough acetylene will cause a large and rapidly expanding fireball which will have the same effect as an explosion.
Another interesting point, as a practical joke, is that acetylene cannot ignite below 0 degrees F, or -17.8 C. Just imagine, leak some when the day is really cold, then as things warm up.... Submitted on 12/28/2002
Submitted by:
Jim Sutherland
Reference:
basic hazmat chemistry
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