"jw" wrote in message
ups.com...

Dave Lyon wrote:
See my other post for more detail. In summary: Pure acetylene at 15-ish
pounds doesn't "burn", a process which does indeed require oxygen.
Instead, it "deflagrates", a process of chemical breakdown that has no
need whatsoever for oxygen to be present in order to happen. (presence
of oxygen may in fact inhibit deflagration in some cases) The only
commonality between the two processes is that they both generate a lot
of heat.


I read your other post. Thanks, very informative. But, I have a question.
If acetylene "defagrates" at around 15 psi, how do they get it into my
tank
at 250 psi or more?

I am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that is the
reason for the acetone and matrix in acetylene tanks. It helps to
stabilize the acetylene and prevent(or at least limit) this problem.


Deflagration is what you _see_ but not what happens. Deflagration merely
describes a "burning with a flame" situation, but doesn't describe what's
occuring chemically. It first polymerizes, then dissociates, often
explosively.

Dissolving in acetone prevents the polymerization that starts the reaction.
But I've always wondered HOW THE HELL they keep that little bit of acetylene
in the neck of the bottle and in the pipes up to the first stage of the
regulator from undergoing the same reaction?

magic abounds....

LLoyd