Acetylene: application in medicine, industry

Acetylene refers to unsaturated hydrocarbons . This compound, as well as its various homologues, serve as a raw material for the synthesis of a large number of chemical products.

Properties and preparation of acetylene

Under atmospheric pressure and normal temperature, acetylene is a colorless gas. If the temperature drops to a value of -85 degrees or lower, then this connection goes into a different state-a solid one. In this case, crystals are formed. It should be noted that in the liquid and solid state acetylene can easily explode under the influence of friction or impact (hydraulic or mechanical). It is this property that largely determines its scope. Combustion reactions of acetylene occur in the presence of oxygen. As a result of this process, a flame arises, characterized by the highest temperature (3150 degrees) in comparison with other types of fuel.

The main way to produce acetylene is a reaction in which calcium carbide and water interact. This process takes place at temperatures around 2000 degrees and is endothermic.

There is such a thing as the yield of acetylene. This is its amount, which is released as a result of the decomposition of 1 kg of calcium carbide. GOST 1460-56 sets specific values of this value, which is directly dependent on the degree of granulation of the starting material. Thus, the consequence of the relatively small size of the calcium carbide particles is a decrease in the yield of acetylene.

This pattern is a consequence of the presence in the small particles of carbide impurities, such as calcium oxide.

There are other, less cumbersome, expensive and energy-consuming ways of obtaining acetylene. For example, the reaction of thermooxidative pyrolysis of methane from natural gas; The decomposition of oil, kerosene and other types of fuel by electropyrolisis.

Storage and transport

All methods of storage and transportation involve the use of cylinders. They are filled with a special mass of porous consistency. It is impregnated with acetone, which dissolves acetylene well. The use of this method allows to significantly increase the filling capacity of the acetylene cylinder and, importantly, lowers its explosiveness.

The long contact of acetylene with metals such as copper and silver can lead to an increase in its explosiveness. Consequently, it is not permissible to use materials that can contain these metals, for example in valves.

As a rule, cylinders should have special valves, designed specifically for the storage of acetylene.

Full utilization of the entire cylinder capacity can be achieved by storing empty containers so that acetone is distributed throughout the volume of the cylinder. And this is only possible in a horizontal position. The filling of the container must be very slow, which is important for meeting the conditions of the chemical reaction of acetylene dissolution in acetone, and in particular its speed.

The Benefits of Dissolved Acetylene

The main advantage of dissolved acetylene before that obtained using portable generators from calcium carbide is that when using cylinders, the welder's labor increases by approximately 20%, and the acetylene losses are reduced by 25%. It should also be noted the increase in efficiency and maneuverability of the welding post, safety. In contrast to the gas obtained from calcium carbide, dissolved acetylene contains significantly less foreign matter, that is, impurities, which makes it possible to use it in particularly important welding operations.

The main applications of acetylene

• Welding and cutting of metals.
• Use as a source of bright, white light. In this case, we are talking about acetylene, obtained by the interaction of calcium carbide and water. In this case, stand-alone lamps are used.
• Production of explosives.
• Preparation of other compounds and materials, which are acetic acid, ethyl alcohol, solvents, plastics, rubber, aromatic hydrocarbons.

Acetylene: application in construction and industry

Autogenous and welding works accompany almost all stages of construction. It is in these types of work that acetylene is used. In a special device called a burner, there is a mixture of gases and the combustion reaction itself. The highest temperature of this reaction is achieved with an acetylene content of 45% of the total volume of the balloon.

Cylinders with this gas are marked as follows: they are painted white and in big red letters they write the inscription: "Acetylene"

Construction work is carried out mainly in the open air. The use of acetylene and its homologues under these conditions should not be affected by direct sunlight. Small breaks should be accompanied by overlapping of the valves on the burner, and long ones - overlapping of the valves on the cylinders themselves.

In the chemical industry, acetylene is very much in demand. Its application consists in the use of this substance in the process of obtaining products of organic synthesis. It is synthetic rubber, plastics, solvents, acetic acid, etc.

Acetylene, being a universal fuel, is often used in processes involving gas flame treatment. It is important that the use of acetylene in industry is possible only with the observance of safety measures, since it is an explosive gas.

Carbide lamps

The name "carbide lamp" is due to the use as a light source of an open flame of a jet of acetylene burned. It, accordingly, is obtained as a result of the interaction of calcium carbide with water.

Such lamps were widely distributed in the past. They could be seen on carriages, cars and even bicycles. In modern times, carbide lamps are used only in the case of an urgent need for a powerful stand-alone lamp. So, speleologists often use them. Remote lighthouses provide such lamps, because this type of lighting is much more profitable than the supply of power lines. It is quite common to use such lamps on long-distance vessels.

Acetylene: use in medicine

How is the substance used in this sphere? General anesthesia involves the use of alkynes. Acetylene is one of those gases that are used in inhalation anesthesia. But its ubiquitous application as such has remained in the past. Now there are more modern and safe methods of anesthesia.

Although it should be noted that the use of acetylene was not of great danger, since before the value of its concentration in the inspired air reaches a dangerous limit, the lower threshold of combustibility will be passed.

The most important condition for using this gas is compliance with safety measures. It is difficult to overestimate how dangerous acetylene is. Its application is possible only after carrying out all the necessary briefings with employees of various spheres in which it is used.