Advantages of Oxy-fuel Gas Cutting

The advantages of oxy-fuel gas cutting include: Equipment is very portable and can be used in the field. Cutting direction can be changed rapidly on a small radius during operation. Large plates can be cut rapidly in place by moving the torch rather than the plate. Equipment costs are lower than machine tools.

Natural Gas

Natural gas produces a lower flame temperature and a lower heating efficiency. Specialty tips designed to provide a heavy preheat flame should be considered. One volume of propylene requires 3.6 volumes of torch supplied oxygen for maximum flame temperature.

Oxyacetylene Gouging

When oxyacetylene gouging, equal quantities of oxygen and acetylene are used to set a near-neutral preheating flame. When the preheating flame and oxygen jet are correctly set, the gouge has a uniform profile and its surfaces are smooth.

Proper Combustion

For proper combustion during cutting, propane (C3H3) requires 4 to 4-1/2 times its volume of preheat oxygen.

Propane Use

Propane is used regularly for oxygen cutting in a number of plants because of its availability and its much higher total heat value (MJ/m³) than natural gas. For proper combustion during cutting, propane requires 4 to 4-1/2 times its volume of preheat oxygen. This requirement is offset somewhat by its higher heat value. It is stored in liquid form and easily transported to the work site.