Acetylene is an important gas used in many different industries, so what type of gas is this specifically? What are the uses?
Acetylene has the chemical formula C2H2 and is created through a reaction between water and carbon. This is a colorless, odorless natural gas that is slightly soluble in water and has the ability to burn strongly and radiate a lot of heat. With these properties, Acetylene is used in industries such as:
- Lighting: Used in lighting fixtures such as oxy-acetylene lamps. When burned, acetylene produces a bright flame and high temperature, creating intense light. This gas was used to produce light in acetylene lamps before electric lights were popularized. Although little used in modern industrial lighting, personal applications such as engine lights, camping lights, and tools using acetylene still exist.
Oil and gas industry: C2H2 is used in the oil and natural gas industry to detect and test gas leaks. - Chemical industry: As a modifier in the production of plastics and synthetic rubber, dyes, pigments, dyes and other applications in the chemical industry.
Research and experimental applications: Applied in scientific research and experiments, in analyzing and creating organic compounds. - Production of organic compounds: Acetylene is an important raw material for the production of other organic compounds such as acetylene, ethylene, and acetone. These compounds are used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and in the production of various substances such as synthetic rubber, plastics, dyes, and detergents.
In particular, this is the type of industrial gas most commonly used in the field of metal welding and cutting, also known as stone air welding: Acetylene is used as a high heat source in the metal welding and cutting process. . When pyrolyzed, it produces a very hot flame (about 3300 °C), which melts and cuts through metallic materials such as steel and cast iron.