MadModder
The Breakroom => The Water Cooler => Topic started by: PTsideshow on April 01, 2011, 06:40:12 PM
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A plant that makes calcium carbide in Kentucky, exploded and since that is what most all the local gas plants use to make acetylene. It will be in short supply. Plus the price is going up 40% or there about's. Or so the rumors and what the LWS is speculating on. Don't know when or how long before the plant is back on line if ever. 2 dead
No-reason-discovered-for-Carbide-Industries-plant-explosion (http://www.whas11.com/home/No-reason-discovered-for-Carbide-Industries-plant-explosion-as-fire-continues-to-burn-118410004.html)
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I think The place I work is switching over to propylene. They were talking about it earlier this week.
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given that most is made from natural gas, and made locally, this is just another excuse to rip everyone off....
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given that most is made from natural gas, and made locally, this is just another excuse to rip everyone off....
I agree ,,,,,,,,, propane has nearly doubled in price in two years :bang:
Rob
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Well I guess the Local welding supply shops are rationing it, if you don't have a hard account with the stores, you can't get a bottles filled. And yes a lot of it is made from natural gas, but since welding use is only a small part. The bulk users may get preference. Get ready for PVC plastic's based on acetylene and anything else that uses it in its manufacture to go up.
Propylene seems to be what they are changing the must have customers to with propane a close second.
a new hydrogen-base metal cutting gas that independent users rate as cost-competitive, safer, faster, cleaner than other metal cutting gases while replenishing the oxygen depleted by fossil fuels. (http://www.magnegas.com/metal-cutting.html)
It appears hydrogen for cutting in some form will be making a come back.
Both the LWS in my area are closed o the week end. Whether it is true or just an excuse to raise prices and add a surcharge. I don't know, but it is happening now. And the guys on a HVAC forum are already talking about their suppliers taking steps to ration and that even some are cutting off schools for the rest of the year, or will be limiting the number of bottles delivered.
Google Acetylene Shortages USA
plant explosion/fire LINK (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org/index.php/2011/03/fire-breaks-out-at-carbide-industries/)
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LOcally it wil make a difference in teh short term... but ...
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Might be of interest to any that are affected by the rationing and price jump in the states, It is on alternate fuels!
This is a copy of an email sent out by Harris/Lincoln (http://email.lincolnelectric.com/track?t=v&mid=4313&msgid=4308&did=2200&edid=2200&sn=1245880827&eid=txfireman92@gmail.com&eeid=txfireman92@gmail.com&uid=18830&rid=18830&erid=18830&fl=&mvid=&extra=&&&2000&eu=100&&&VWP)
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News release from the company that had the fire (http://"http://www.carbidellc.com/News/news1.html")
And under applications heading explains about why acetylene is still generated by calcium carbide.
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If you are curious about switching to alternative fuel gas check this out.
site with some PDF explanations on it (http://www.thermadyne.com/Alternative%20Fuel%20Options/index.html) I have had a Victor heavy duty gas axe for 40 years
:thumbup:
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If you do TIG welding, you know about the recent cost of Helium. This gas is becoming truely rare.
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While I was picking up some back order items at my Local Airgas I was informed that the price increase for acetylene has arrived they have double approximately. for all sizes and they are going to have a limited number of assorted sized cylinders available. :bugeye: