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Product Spotlight: Acetylene
/in Gases, industrial gasses /by John WallaceAcetylene is one gas that may be indispensable to industry. It is used for the production of chemicals, plastics, lighting, and it is critical to the fabrication industry as a welding fuel. Acetylene is a versatile gas and one of the key industrial gas products that CK supplies to our commercial partners.
Pure acetylene is colorless and odorless but with some impurities it can have a distinctive odor. With oxygen, acetylene burns at very high temperatures which makes it invaluable for cutting, texturing, hardening, flame gouging and thermal spraying of many different kinds of materials.
Acetylene is produced as a chemical reaction between calcium carbide and water which occurs at normal temperatures. Another process called thermal cracking requires high temperatures. Acetylene is very reactive and can be hazardous if combined with other gasses like oxygen. Because of this, it must be stored and handled with absolute care.
The Industrial Uses of Acetylene
Welding, Cutting, and Heat Treating
Acetylene creates the hottest flame of any welding fuel. High temperatures mean acetylene is perfect to cut metals and heat treat them as part of many industrial processes. Welding equipment that uses acetylene can be very versatile as they do not require electricity. This allows acetylene based equipment to be used in remote locations where an electrical connection is not possible.
Lighting
Calcium carbide was once used to light streetlamps and as an early light source for lighthouses as it produced an intense, bright light. Most early automobiles used this form of lighting before electric headlights were commercially available. Since this form of lighting used a highly-reactive substance, most lighting applications of acetylene moved on to safer solutions but calcium carbide is still used in some cases for mining and underground use.
Chemical production
Acetylene is used in the synthesis of certain vitamins like vitamin A and D. Also it can be used to create complex chemical compounds that make up perfumes and solvents.
Polyethylene Plastics
PVC and PVDF plastics are produced from ethylene or methane which in turn come from acetylene. These are sturdy plastics that are used in common household products and as durable and weather-resistant building materials.
How to Safely Use Acetylene
Our acetylene is dissolved as a solvent which prevents decomposition and allows us to store greater quantities of it under lower pressure. Always use an acetylene canister in an unright position and in well-ventilated areas. Acetylene is lighter than air which means it can be trapped in roof spaces and empty areas that have inadequate ventilation or no extraction.
The Right Product, Every Time
CK Supply provides acetylene cylinders in a variety of sizes or pressures, for any commercial or industrial purpose. Our aim is to make sure you have the correct materials and chemicals on hand to produce your products, fuel your processes, and get projects done the right way. If you need high-grade industrial acetylene in any quantity, for any industrial use, call CK today!
Product Spotlight: Carbon Dioxide
/in Gases /by Brynn DiggsCarbon Dioxide (CO2) is one of the most abundant chemicals found in nature. It is found in the atmosphere, dissolved in water, used by plants to form food by photosynthesis, and expelled from vehicles as a byproduct of combustion. It is slightly toxic, odorless, colorless, and in large quantities has a slightly acidic taste. Producing carbon dioxide as an industrial product requires that it be recovered and purified from a relatively high-volume, CO2-rich gas stream, generally a stream created as an unavoidable byproduct of a large-scale chemical production process or some form of biological process.
Where CO2 Comes From
Carbon dioxide is mainly a byproduct of industrial processes and while it can be distilled from air like argon or nitrogen this process is inefficient to produce CO2 in quantities needed for industrial use. The CO2 we provide is recovered and purified for commercial and industrial uses.
The Industrial Uses of CO2
Carbon dioxide is a common and versatile chemical that has many business uses. All of these uses take advantage of one or more of the major characteristics of this gas: inertness, reactivity, or its low freezing point.
Welding
One of the most important uses of CO2 is when it is used as a shield gas for MIG/MAG welding, where the gas is used to protect the weld puddle against oxidation caused by the surrounding air. A mixture of argon and carbon dioxide is used to reduce the need for post-weld treatments.
Dry Ice for Quick Refrigeration
High-pressure liquid CO2 can be sprayed onto food products to flash freeze them through the process of sublimation, in which a solid goes directly to a gas state.
Firefighting
CO2 does not burn or support combustion, and air with more than 10% of carbon dioxide will extinguish an open flame. CO2 removes oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere, which makes it an effective substance for firefighting. It can be found in household fire extinguishers all the way to industrial fire suppression systems and even airports to control jet fuel fires.
Circuit Board Assembly
CO2 is an important gas to the electronics industry. Semiconductor surfaces need to be cleaned during the manufacturing process and a constant supply os CO2 is a safe way to keep these surfaces clean.
Petroleum Extraction
Carbon dioxide is used to maintain pressure in oil wells for oil extraction. When CO2 is pumped into an oil well, it is partially dissolved into the oil, making it less viscous and easier to recover.
Other Commercial Uses of Carbon Dioxide
- As a propellant in aerosol cans to replace less environmentally friendly alternatives.
- To carbonate soft drinks, beer, and sparkling wine, and as an agent to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in beverages.
- To displace air in the canning process and keep foods fresh during transportation and storage.
- Dry ice pellets are used instead of sand when sandblasting paint from surfaces to reduce the cost of cleanup.
- CO2 is expelled by yeast which creates a rising action in bread.
The Right Product, Every Time
CK Supply provides carbon dioxide gas cylinders in a variety of sizes or pressures, as a refrigerated liquid, or as dry ice. Our aim is to make sure you have the correct materials and chemicals on hand to produce your products, fuel your processes, and get projects done the right way. If you need carbon dioxide in any quantity, for any industrial use, either in bulk delivery or temporary, call CK today!
How Our Gas Cylinders Are Labeled
/in Gases /by Brent WingeterAt CK Supply, we label each cylinder we produce for tracking purposes and so users can easily identify what’s inside. Besides barcoded labels, the important information about each cylinder is stenciled into the metal.
About CK Supply
CK Supply is the largest independent supplier of compressed gases, welding and cutting equipment, and supplies in Missouri. Our five retail locations throughout Missouri & Illinois support all your welding needs. We invite everyone to “Discover the Difference” when dealing with CK Supply, Inc.