Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, has announced the launch of its worldwide safety program to improve the safe storage and transportation of acetylene cylinders by customers.
Packaged acetylene is commonly used for welding and cutting applications. It has the ability to produce the hottest flame temperature of any fuel gas when burnt with oxygen and it is able to pierce steel up to 40 percent faster than propane, making it a highly efficient gas in terms of productivity. However, when combined with oxygen it is highly flammable and when under pressure, such as in gas cylinders, acetylene and acetylene mixtures need to be transported, stored, and handled in a manner which minimizes risks to safety.
“Safety is the number one priority for Linde – both that of our customers and our employees – and it is a fundamental cornerstone of Linde’s approach to corporate responsibility,” said John Romer, Head of Cylinder Process Safety and Standards, Linde. “As such, we are taking the lead globally to further educate our customers on the potential risks of acetylene with the aim of zero incidents when handling this highly useful but highly flammable gas.”
The two primary causes of acetylene accidents during transportation are the accumulation of gas through leakage overnight in an enclosed commercial vehicle and valves being knocked open when cylinders are not properly restrained and protected.
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