Fuel Gas Processes
A fuel gas welding process uses the heat of a gas flame to melt and fuse metal in the joint area. A fuel gas cutting process also uses heat generated by a flame to heat metal to its melting point and an oxygen jet is then used to remove the molten metal. In gas welding and cutting, a fuel gas, usually acetylene but other gases may be used, is mixed in a welding or cutting torch with oxygen and the resultant mixture ignited at the tip of the torch. In welding a filler metal and flux are normally used to provide weld metal and a cleaning action. The gases are normally supplied as compressed gas from cylinders. Fuel gas processes have many other applications other than welding and cutting. They are also used for brazing, soldering, carbon coating, surface cleaning, surface hardening, preheating, texturing and powder spraying. They are used in thermic lancing, powder cutting and can even be used for cutting under water. Equipment requirements are normally fairly simple, a welding or cutting torch, hoses, and a supply of fuel gas and oxygen. Some of these processes use air in place of oxygen and powders and lances etc will also be required for specific applications. The applications of fuel gas processes are many and various and find uses in all sorts of industries. The main safety issues are explosive and flammable gases, compressed gas cylinders, and heat. Use of flashback arrestors is also essential if the process is to be operated safely.
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