Maybe old hat for you serious welders but saw this at my LWS

[dragoneggs]

Haven't seen one of these before... found it interesting to examine while I had a few pieces of metal I bought cut at my LWS.

 

[stuckmotor]

My grandfather used to tell me about the carbide generator that provided gas to light the house when he was a boy. I did some web research and the terms, carbide and acerylene seem to be used interchangeably. I never had a chemestry course so I'm not sure about that. Here's a link to a discussion on the subject. Again, the terms carbide gas and acetylene seem to be used to mean the same thing. Carbide Lighting System - SmokStak

Incidentally, he said there was a bi-product that they used to use for white wash. I occasionally wonder if it was toxic.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I haven't seen on of those generators for a mighty long time. I took a welding class in high school early 50s and that is how we got our acetylene. My Dad also had one of the portables that we used a lot. It as a huge central station unit. One charge of carbide was 50#. We learned all about acetylene generation and how to maintain the generator. Also miners lamps using carbide were real common back then also. If even allowed anymore the OSHA/NFPA rules are probably pretty onerous. Interesting to see if any welders here still use one.

Ron

 

[Arc weld]

You can still get acetylene generators. I think the biggest problem, even for welding supplies that want to make their own acetylene, is getting rid of the residue/sludge left from mixing the calcium carbide and water. That's why a lot of welding supplies will have bulk oxygen and other gases but still send acetylene cylinders out to a major fill plant for filling. It's also quite an involved process to fill cylinders with lots of safety procedures that have to be strictly adhered to. I toured a fill plant but we weren't allowed into the room with the acetylene generator. You couldn't have clothing with any metal and had to wear fire retardant coveralls. It takes hours and hours to fill acetylene cylinders and the cylinders are cooled with water while filling. Maximum fill pressure is 50 psi and maximum line size if I recall is 1/2". All fill pipe is heavy wall and has to have welded fittings. 50 psi is over the safe 15 psi working pressure but in very controlled conditions. If cylinders had to be filled at 15 psi would take an extremely long time.

rexarc.com/images/pdf/model-50-ps-portable-acetylene-generators.pdf

 

[stuckmotor]

When Big Lots first came to town in the 1970's they had a bin of what appeared to be carbide head lights at very cheap prices. Sadly, my money had to go to other things.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I just remember seeing acetylene (carbide generator) on the first automobiles made. Any body seen other uses?

Ron

 

[stuckmotor]

Arc Weld,
I think the sludge you mentioned is what my grandfather said they used for white wash. Is it white and is it toxic? I think the generator was on the first floor of the tank house that held the drinking water.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

You can still get acetylene generators. I think the biggest problem, even for welding supplies that want to make their own acetylene, is getting rid of the residue/sludge left from mixing the calcium carbide and water. That's why a lot of welding supplies will have bulk oxygen and other gases but still send acetylene cylinders out to a major fill plant for filling. It's also quite an involved process to fill cylinders with lots of safety procedures that have to be strictly adhered to. I toured a fill plant but we weren't allowed into the room with the acetylene generator. You couldn't have clothing with any metal and had to wear fire retardant coveralls. It takes hours and hours to fill acetylene cylinders and the cylinders are cooled with water while filling. Maximum fill pressure is 50 psi and maximum line size if I recall is 1/2". All fill pipe is heavy wall and has to have welded fittings. 50 psi is over the safe 15 psi working pressure but in very controlled conditions. If cylinders had to be filled at 15 psi would take an extremely long time.

rexarc.com/images/pdf/model-50-ps-portable-acetylene-generators.pdf

Generators can be very dangerous if not maintained and used properly

Ron

 

[stuckmotor]

Acetylene Gas Plant Equipment : Model 5 PS Portable Acetylene Generator

 

[Arc weld]

Acetylene Gas Plant Equipment : Model 5 PS Portable Acetylene Generator

Thanks, the link I copied didn't work.