Acetylene is a combustible gas with a distinctive odor. It is used as a raw material for the production of several organic chemicals, as well as a fuel component in metal cutting, and oxy-acetylene welding. Today, acetylene is also used in the production of several plastics. Typically acetylene is produced by either one of the following methods:
With each method having its own advantages, the choice will entirely depend on the user. In this post, we will discuss the production of acetylene using calcium carbide in the acetylene generator.
In various industrial environments, acetylene generation is initiated in acetylene producing generators. These equipment are sold in various capacities from 8 m3 to over 200 m3 per hour. Calcium carbide is introduced from the top of the generator shell into the water. The chemical formula of this reaction can be expressed as:
CAC2 + 2 H2O &#; C2H2 + CA(OH)2
This reaction should only be conducted under controlled conditions. The process unit should be equipped with pressure and temperature sensors, as well as non-return valves for safety purposes.
Components of acetylene generation plant and their individual contribution is described here:
Generator: Here, calcium carbide is mixed with a large quantity of water to produce acetylene gas. The generator is fitted with the following accessories:
a. Automatic control sensors
b. Feeder
c. Hopper(s)
d. Agitator
e. Arrestor
Condenser: It helps cool down the acetylene gas produced in the generator.
Ammonia Scrubber: This vessel removes ammonia from the acetylene stream before purification.
Medium Pressure Drier: As the name suggests, the medium pressure drier helps dry the acetylene gas. It is also used to control the moisture content of the acetylene stream into the purifier. Anhydrous calcium chloride is used for the purpose.
Purifier: It mainly comprises of a purifying material, which helps separate phosphine and hydrogen sulphide created during the acetylene generation.
Purifier Scrubber: This component keeps any purifying material from entering the compressor.
Compressor: Acetylene is a flammable gas. It uses a compressor for acetylene that is surrounded by water, which cools the heat of compression after each stage.
The following are some guidelines that should be adopted while handling calcium carbide during acetylene generation.
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The maximum permissible size and weight of the carbide for a single charge should be matched with the equipment manufacturer&#;s specification.
Calcium carbide should be kept in air and water tight metal packages, and labelled &#;Calcium Carbide &#; Dangerous If Not Dry&#;.
Calcium carbide in drums should not exceed 250 kg. It should be stored where water cannot enter. Containers should be regularly checked to see that water has not entered.
Calcium carbide drums shall only be opened at the time of filling carbide to hoppers.
Carbide with more than 15% dust concentration shouldn&#;t be charged in the generator.
The carbide-water residue should not be discharged into the environment directly.
The size of the calcium carbide is an important consideration during the production of gas. The following information will give you an idea of the best grades.
Grade Size
Quantity A Gas Yield Liter Per Kg Quantity B Cu.ff per lb. Quantity A Quantity B 15-80 311 288 4.98 4.60 7-15 301 275 4.81 4.42 4-7 287 267 4.59 4.28 2-4 273 251 4.36 4.01 1-2 257 236 4.25 3.77
The above mentioned information regarding best sizes for gas yield is compiled from several industrial studies. You can always approach an industry expert like Rexarc to understand the best sizes for your application requirement. The company produces industry-grade acetylene plants in various specifications and dimensions. Yield could be different between various manufacturers.
Acetylene, also known as ethyne, is the most basic and well-known member of the hydrocarbon series containing one or more pairs of carbon atoms linked by triple bonds, also known as the acetylenic series, or alkynes. It is the simplest and best-known member of the hydrocarbon series containing one or more pairs of carbon atoms linked by triple bonds, also known as the alkynes. In addition to being used as a fuel in oxyacetylene welding and metal cutting, it is also employed as a raw ingredient in the synthesis of many organic compounds and polymers. Its chemical formula is C2H2, and it is a colourless, inflammable gas. acetylene can be created in one of three ways: by the interaction of water with calcium carbide, through the passage of a hydrocarbon through an electric arc, or through the partial combustion of methane in the presence of air or oxygen.
acetylene, in its pure form, is a colourless gas with a nice odour; but, when it is made from calcium carbide, it often contains residues of phosphine, which gives off an unpleasant garlic-like odour. With the release of heat, acetylene may be broken down into its constituent parts. Depending on the circumstances, an explosion may or may not result from the decomposition process. Pure acetylene, whether in liquid or solid form, bursts with tremendous force when subjected to pressures in excess of around 15 pounds per square inch.
Air and acetylene mixtures are explosive across a wide range of concentrations, ranging from around 2.5 percent air in acetylene to approximately 12.5 percent acetylene in air. A clean, white light is produced when acetylene is burnt with the appropriate quantity of air; as a result, it was once used to illuminate areas where electric power was not accessible, such as buoys, miners&#; lamps, and road signs. The burning of acetylene generates a significant amount of heat, and the oxyacetylene flame produced by a correctly built torch has the greatest flame temperature (about 6,000°F, or 3,300°C) of any known combination of combustible gases (approximately 6,000°F, or 3,300°C).
Acetylene may have its hydrogen atoms replaced by metallic elements, resulting in the formation of acetylides, such as silver, copper, and sodium acetylides. Acetylides of silver, copper, mercury, and gold detonate as a result of high temperatures, friction, and shock. Apart from the reactive hydrogen atom, the carbon&#;carbon triple bond has the ability to readily accept halogens, halogen acids, hydrogen cyanide, alcohols, amines, and amides as co-reaction partners. Acetylene can also be used to combine with other compounds such as aldehydes and ketones. Many of the reactions described here are used in the commercial manufacture of a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including acetaldehyde, the synthetic rubber neoprene, water-based paints, vinyl fabric and floor coverings, dry-cleaning solvents, and aerosol insecticide sprays, among other things. acetylene can be created in one of three ways: by the interaction of water with calcium carbide, through the passage of a hydrocarbon through an electric arc, or through the partial combustion of methane in the presence of air or oxygen.
Acetylene, often known as &#;ethyne,&#; is a chemical compound composed of two hydrogen atoms and two carbon atoms that has the chemical formula C2H2. There are two processes by which this hydrocarbon is produced: chemical reaction or thermal cracking, both of which use distinct types of raw materials to accomplish their goals.
Acrylonitrile is produced commercially from calcium carbide, which has the chemical formula CaC2. It is the most widely used raw material in acetylene manufacturing. Calcium carbide is typically made by combining lime and coke in a blast furnace, and then the calcium carbide that is produced is used as a fuel.
When calcium carbide is treated with water, it has a tendency to create acetylene gas, which may be demonstrated by the balanced chemical equations provided below.
The following stages are involved in the production of acetylene from calcium carbide:
Making fast lime (with the chemical formula CaO) from calcium carbonate (i.e. CaCO3) is a simple process.
CaCO3&#;CaO + CO2
&#; Preparation of calcium carbide from quick lime (CaO) in the presence of coke (C) by heating the mixture: CaO + 3C &#; CaC2 + CO
The following is the procedure for making acetylene by reacting calcium carbide with water (a process known as hydrolysis of calcium carbide):
CaC2 + 2H2O &#; C2H2 + Ca(OH)2
Acetylene may be produced from calcium carbide by reacting the calcium carbide with water, and the balanced chemical reaction of this process is represented by the following equation:
CaC2 + 2H2O &#; C2H2 + Ca(OH)2
Many of the reactions described here are used in the commercial manufacture of a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including acetaldehyde, the synthetic rubber neoprene, water-based paints, vinyl fabric and floor coverings, dry-cleaning solvents, and aerosol insecticide sprays, among other things. acetylene can be created in one of three ways: by the interaction of water with calcium carbide, through the passage of a hydrocarbon through an electric arc, or through the partial combustion of methane in the presence of air or oxygen.