Comparison between Acetylene & LPG fuels for gas cutting operation

 

SL No.	Acetylene	LPG (Propane)
1	Highest flame temperature up to 3100 Deg C	Flame temperature up to 2800 Deg C
2	Flame speed up to 7.5 m/sec	Flame speed up to 3.3 m/sec
3	Most of the heat released is in inner cone	Most of the heat released is in outer cone
4	Higher flame GCV of inner cone (4500 kcal/M3)	Lower flame GCV of inner cone (2500 kcal/M3) as compared to acetylene
5	Stoichiometric air fuel ratio1.2:1 (Requires 2.5 to 3 Oxygen cylinders for burning one Acetylene cylinder)	Stoichiometric  air fuel ratio 4.3:1 (Requires 7 to 8 Oxygen cylinders for burning one LPG cylinder)
6	Can be used in gas welding, as acetylene when burning with air creates reducing zone that cleans the steel surface	Cannot be used in gas welding as it does not create reducing zone
7	Acetylene has Specific gravity 0.9 kg/m3, so if it leaks it will raise in air without harming much	Propane has Specific gravity 1.6 kg/m3, which is heavier than air. So if it leaks it will concentrate in deck level or any other closed/corner area
8	Acetylene requires less air for complete combustion	Propane requires more air for complete combustion, so there may be chances of formation of carbon monoxide (CO) in case of incomplete combustion. This incomplete combustion may result into poisoning of working area, as CO is poisonous gas
9	Can be used for cutting & welding applications in industry	Used only for domestic applications