Acetylene should never be used at a working pressure above

Acetylene should never be used at a working pressure above

• A. 10 psig
• B. 15 psig
• C. 20 psig
• D. 25 psig

Answer: (B)

Acetylene must be kept at a very low working pressure because it becomes unstable as pressure increases. In cylinders, acetylene is dissolved in acetone to stabilize it, but if the pressure exceeds about 15 psig, the gas can decompose violently and potentially explode. To minimize risk, the working pressure is limited to 15 psig. Pressures higher than that, such as 20 or 25 psig, are not safe. A lower pressure like 10 psig would be within safe practice, but the stated limit is 15 psig, which is the maximum allowable working pressure.

Acetylene must be kept at a very low working pressure because it becomes unstable as pressure increases. In cylinders, acetylene is dissolved in acetone to stabilize it, but if the pressure exceeds about 15 psig, the gas can decompose violently and potentially explode. To minimize risk, the working pressure is limited to 15 psig. Pressures higher than that, such as 20 or 25 psig, are not safe. A lower pressure like 10 psig would be within safe practice, but the stated limit is 15 psig, which is the maximum allowable working pressure.