Is It Safe to Use Domestic LPG for Industrial Gas Cutting? Let's Discuss the Risks and Rules

dipil
Industrial LPG Usage in Industries

Industrial LPG is widely used in industries for gas cutting operations and strictly prohibits the use of Domestic LPG. If we use domestic LPG for industrial purposes, as per the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Control Order - 2001, you may face imprisonment of up to 7 years together with fines.

Are there any safety hazards in using domestic LPG in industrial settings beyond what is mentioned in the statute? Are there any other technical reasons preventing us from using Domestic LPG for industrial purposes?

Awaiting your valuable replies.

Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
Mallik
Understanding LPG and Its Safety Implications

LPG is a mixture of commercial butane and commercial propane, containing both saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. LPG is inherently dangerous due to fire, explosion, and other hazards. This necessitates special attention to how it is bottled, transported, and used, as these hazards can impact both plants and the public. Consequently, there has been a significant emphasis on safety regulations in handling systems design.

At atmospheric pressure and temperature, LPG is a gas that is 1.5 to 2.0 times heavier than air and can be readily liquefied under moderate pressures. The density of the liquid is approximately half that of water, ranging from 0.525 to 0.580 @ 15°C. The pressure inside an LPG storage vessel or cylinder will be equal to the vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature of the LPG in the storage vessel. The restriction on vapor pressure is stipulated by IS-4576, which regulates the lighter ends of hydrocarbons and governs the design parameters for storage vessels.

Vapor pressure depends on temperature and the ratio of the mixture of hydrocarbons. At full liquid condition, any further expansion of the liquid will cause the cylinder pressure to rise by approximately 14 to 15 kg/sq. cm for each degree centigrade. This explains the hazardous situation that could arise from overfilling cylinders.

It is advisable not to use LPG for gas cutting in industrial fabrications and other jobs, as LPG is a mixture of butane and propane only, whether used domestically or industrially.

Regards
dipil
@ Mallik,

Thanks very much for your technical explanations. It really makes me think. Now, I have to find out more facts about the same. I hope for your participation in the forum discussions in the future too.

Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
Kesava Pillai
Dear Dipil,

There is, of course, a major difference. That difference is in the pricing; otherwise, nothing.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai
dipil
Dear All,

Which fuel gas (DA or LPG) is safer to use for gas cutting operations and why? What factors should be considered when selecting a fuel gas?

Please post your comments on the queries.

Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
tajsateesh
Hello Dilip Kumar,

You seem to be asking so many details about Domestic & Industrial LPG that there seems to be some specific reason, rather than just to increase your awareness/knowledge. Could you please share the reasons for your queries?

Regards,
TS
dipil
Hi TS,

This question was asked to me by one of my colleagues. I failed to give sufficient technical explanations to that query. That's why I bring the topic for a debate to the forum.

No other specific reason.

Regards, Dipil Kumar V
dipil
Hi TS,

The query I raised was asked of me by one of my colleagues. I feel like I did not satisfy him with technical explanations. Therefore, I am bringing up the same topics to the forum for debate.

There are no other specific reasons, just for the purpose of knowledge enhancement.

Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
tajsateesh
Hello Dilip,

Kesava Pillai has given a really in-depth technical reply. Guess it can't get more technical than that :-)

Best regards,
TS
dipil
Dear Sir, Thank you for your prompt reply, and first of all, sorry for the late response. The question - Which fuel gas (DA or LPG) is safer to use for gas cutting operations and why? - has been a topic of debate for me. I have discussed it with a few people with a mechanical background and received different answers. Some said DA, while others suggested LPG. When I presented the explanations you provided to those who favored DA, they seemed satisfied. Thank you for your valuable input, sir.

Answering Your Questions

1. How is an acetylene cylinder constructed? Please refer to the attachment.

2. Why should acetylene not be laid horizontally? To prevent the loss of acetone, which reduces the cylinder's ability to hold dissolved acetylene. Hence, always store and use acetylene cylinders in an upright position.

We must also suggest keeping all gas cylinders in a vertical position to prevent the flow of liquid-stage gas through the hosepipes, which can damage the hose pipe, not only with acetylene.

If any of the points mentioned are incorrect, please clarify.

@TS You are right; he was always there with his valuable help.

Regards, Dipil Kumar V
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dipil
Dear Sir,

Thank you for your frank comment. The literature was from my study material collections, so I did not think to modify it further; I simply posted it. It may be useful to anyone who is interested.

Thank you for another useful discussion, sir.

Regards,
Dipil Kumar V
krunalsheth
Hi all,

In my opinion, DA is safer than LPG for gas cutting operations in industries. I suggest having a discussion on this topic to gain more clarity.
Kesava Pillai
Dear Krunalsheth, thank you for your post. For your opinion on "Acetylene being safer" - can you kindly try to substantiate it, please? In safety matters, a safety person has to be firm. Here one's opinion has no value.

1. Safety has to say, "Yes, this is safe or this is not safe," convincingly and communicate it for others to understand.
2. When one says an item is safer than another, naturally, safety measures required for that safer item will be relaxed.
3. With Acetylene and LPG, we are in a conflict situation - "Avoidance = Avoidance," just like the devil and the deep sea.
4. I do not like spoon-feeding. Upon seeing your comments, I will give you the reasons "how your DA is more dangerous than LPG." LPG is, of course, safer than Acetylene. Let us continue until we are assured of the right thing.

Thanks again for participating, as you are sure to gain from these discussions.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai
Kesava Pillai
Thank you for your valuable contribution. On the primary question of which is comparatively safer—"Acetylene or LPG," some of our friends in the forum are doubtful. Before I provide the exact reasons for LPG being comparatively safer than Acetylene, I want to know what the general approach is among the youngsters. I am still waiting for a few more posts on this.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai
kvsundaram
Thank you for your reply. I was anxious when I responded and felt guilty upon seeing your reply. However, I'm providing some details about both.

Use of LPG is comparatively safer than that of Acetylene because of its properties and handling temperature. When comparing the explosive limits, the LEL and UEL of LPG is only 1.9% to 9.5%, whereas Acetylene has a wide range of 2.5% to 80%.

Also, I have some independent data for Acetylene and LPG. I'm not sure whether it relates to our discussion, but at least some can gain more insight into Acetylene and LPG.

Acetylene

Approximately 20 percent of acetylene is consumed for oxyacetylene gas welding and cutting due to the high temperature of the flame; combustion of acetylene with oxygen produces a flame of over 3600 K (3300 °C, 6000 °F), releasing 11.8 kJ/g. Oxyacetylene is the hottest burning common fuel gas. Acetylene is the third hottest natural chemical flame after cyanogens at 4798 K (4525 °C, 8180 °F) and dicyanoacetylene's 5260 K (4990 °C, 9010 °F). Oxy-acetylene welding was a very popular welding process in previous decades; however, the development and advantages of arc-based welding processes have made oxy-fuel welding nearly extinct for many applications. Acetylene usage for welding has dropped significantly. On the other hand, oxy-acetylene welding equipment is quite versatile—not only because the torch is preferred for some sorts of iron or steel welding (as in certain artistic applications), but also because it lends itself easily to brazing, braze-welding, metal heating (for annealing or tempering, bending or forming), the loosening of corroded nuts and bolts, and other applications. Oxyacetylene welding may also be used in areas where electricity is not readily accessible. As well, oxy-fuel cutting is still very popular, and oxy-acetylene cutting is utilized in nearly every metal fabrication shop. For use in welding and cutting, the working pressures must be controlled by a regulator, since above 15 psi acetylene will decompose explosively.

LPG (mixture of Butane & Propane)

Butane, like propane, is a saturated hydrocarbon. Butane and propane do not react with each other and are regularly mixed together. Butane boils at 0.6 °C. Propane is more volatile, with a boiling point of -42 °C. Vaporization is rapid at temperatures above the boiling points. The calorific (heat) values of both are almost equal. Both are thus mixed together to attain the vapor pressure that is required by the end user and depending on the ambient conditions. If the ambient temperature is very low, propane is preferred to achieve higher vapor pressure at the given temperature.

Propane does not burn as hot as acetylene in its inner cone, and so it is rarely used for welding. Propane, however, has a very high number of BTUs per cubic foot in its outer cone, and so with the right torch can make a faster and cleaner cut than acetylene, and is much more useful for heating and bending than acetylene.

Propane is cheaper than acetylene and easier to transport.

Like propylene, most propane tips are of a two-piece design. Propane often gets unfair criticism because it really needs changing your torch (from an equal pressure torch to an injector torch) and not just changing your tip to get the best performance. Most torches are equal pressure and designed for gases such as acetylene, which are lighter than oxygen. Propane is a great deal heavier and runs much better through a low-pressure injector torch with a setting from a few ounces to about two pounds per square inch when cutting.

Hope you find it useful. If it is not related to this thread, kindly regret.

Thanks & regards
dipil
Dear All, good participation in the thread. Nice to see. Let me tell you about my experience with this debate. I asked the question: which fuel gas is safer for fresh pass-out graduates and for those who have been in the mechanical field for over 15 years? The youngsters were unsure and failed to comment. Those in the mechanical line said DA but failed to provide more clarifications.

I am grateful for the discussions as they have helped to clarify my concepts. Thanks to all who participated with valuable posts.

Regards,
DIPIL
Kesava Pillai
Conclusion on Gas Safety Procedures

There seems to be no more posts on this. Let us conclude! Check the gases following Haz.Com procedures - as per NFPA on health, fire, reactivity, etc. Do this first, and if all elements are equal, go for checking on LEL and UEL to find the widest range as presented by Mr. KVS. There are many other factors to consider, but this is the easiest system we can adopt. In this way, you can ascertain that LPG is safer than Acetylene. Convincing details attached.

With this, I am sure that the doubt is cleared.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai
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executivehse
LPG vs. DA: Safety Considerations

The forum is about Industrial and Domestic LPG but has turned into a discussion on LPG vs. DA. I would like to shed some light on this topic. Please correct me if I am wrong, as this is a question of SAFETY!

LPG has a less explosive range (2.5% to 9.5%) than DA (3% to 80%). The LPG cylinder is less pressurized (5 to 7 KG/cm²) compared to DA (17 Kg/cm²). LPG is safe up to cylinder pressure, while DA is shock-sensitive. DA is more chemically unstable, which makes it more sensitive to pressure, temperature, static electricity, or mechanical shock. LPG has a lower cost compared to DA. The design of the cylinder is stable and safer in a vertical position if not tied by mistake. I have not addressed quality of work issues. Please help me conclude.

Thanks.
pon1965
I agree with Kesava Pillai. Only pricing matters. Commercial LPG is equivalent to DA. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd had launched a new product “Bharat Cutting Gas” (a mixture of commercial LPG & an additive) which can be used in place of Acetylene for metal cutting/brazing purposes in heavy engineering/steel/automobile industries. Bharat Cutting Gas can cut metals even more than 300 mm thick with the same quality as Acetylene. The cost of Bharat Cutting Gas is almost half of the Acetylene, thereby providing considerable savings to the end users.

Pon
avdkadakkal
I would like to add something to this discussion. We use NRVs and flashback arrestors for Oxy-Fuel cutting/welding. In the Indian market, I found ISI marked NRVs compatible with acetylene cylinders but never found an ISI marked NRV compatible with LPG cylinders.
asudhir17
Great discussions on this thread so far. Thanks to Mr. Kesava and Mr. KVS Sundaran for the detailed technical explanation. In Maharashtra, the use of LPG cylinders is prohibited. Even commercial cylinders cannot be used for industrial applications. The commercial cylinders can only be used for hotels, etc. Industries should use Acetylene cylinders. Technically superb discussions on this thread.

Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
Revu Chavan
Sorry to interrupt. Is it possible to clarify for me a specific standard for gas cutting, whether DA is safe or commercial LPG? Nowadays, people have become more specific when raising their questions. Therefore, I request a specific standard to be provided.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Revu
narenpk
I came to know that 6 LPG cylinders (less than 100 Kg) can be stored/stocked without any license from the Explosives Inspectorate. Is this correct? Can these cylinders (6 Nos) then be connected to a manifold supplied by a licensed contractor with proper fittings? Please help.
shankarpandit85
Please go through the link below for all technical clarifications:

http://www.wilhelmsen.com/marine-products/welding--surface-preparation/gas-welding--acetylene-vs-propane/
C.Muthukrishnan
Dear Kesava Pillai,

As per your comment, LPG is much safer than DA. Then why are LPG cylinders not allowed in many industries?

Thanks With Regards,
C. Muthukrishnan
Bhushan Patil
Dear All,

Can we use LPG cylinders in metal cutting operations in factory premises? If yes/no, what are the reasons and standards or any rules covered by the Factory Act?

Thank you.
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