boyd marine
Registered
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 0
Has anyone used the petrogen torch?? All comments good and bad are appreciated
Petrogen Torch??
- Thread starter boyd marine
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
...did a little digging on this, found this conversation:
Petrogen Oxy-Gasoline Cutting Torch System - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board
This part of the thread was interesting:
Title: Flashback Event During Cutting Operations
Date: May 25, 1999 Identifier: ERC-99-004
Lessons Learned Statement: To be determined.
Discussion of Event: On May 19, 1999, at approximately 11:40 am, a Bechtel Hanford, Inc. (BHI) Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) worker was performing cutting operations on a section of pipe as part of remediation activities at 107KE. The pipe is 6 feet in diameter and has a wall thickness of 5/8". The welder was using an oxygen/gasoline torch, which was previously used as a technology demonstration conducted by BHI at the 105C Interim Safe Storage Project. The torch model is Oxy-Gasoline Safety Torch, manufactured by PETROGEN. The oxy-gas torch system consists of a three-gallon fuel tank equipped with an automatic flow cut-off valve and pressure release valve, a gasoline supply hose, an oxygen supply hose, and a conventional oxygen bottle. The design of the cutting torch allows gasoline delivery to the tip of the torch in the form of a confined liquid. The expansion of gasoline from a liquid to vapor, and the mixing with oxygen, occurs in the tip. This is designed to eliminate backflash down the fuel line and keep the torch head cool. The entire system has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
The D&D worker performing the cutting operation at 107KE was working for approximately 5 seconds when a second D&D worker, standing on the opposite side and away from the pipe, observed the oxygen hose burst and emit a "road flare" size flame. The second D&D worker quickly notified the D&D worker doing the cutting and the operation was immediately shut down. There were no injuries and only the oxygen hose was damaged.
Per the manufacturer's requirements, the oxy-gas torch in use at 107KE has a flashback arrester installed at the oxygen tank regulator. The manufacturer recognized a flashback might be possible under certain circumstances, and recommended a second flashback arrester be installed at the torch. This second flashback arrester was not installed at the torch at the time of the incident. The line burst approximately 10-12' from the D&D worker and approximately 50' from the tank. There were no workers near the line when it burst.
Analysis: While further analysis is underway, the manufacturer recommends the oxygen line be purged prior to ignition, to help prevent flashbacks. Initial interviews with the workers indicate the oxygen line purge was completed prior to ignition. Further investigation is underway to determine cause and an updated lessons learned will be issued in the near future.
__________________
Rick Horwitz, AB7FH
At almost $1000.00 to purchase, I don't see an advantage, unless you regularly needed to cut through 8" or so of steel...
Regards,
DSD
Petrogen Oxy-Gasoline Cutting Torch System - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board
This part of the thread was interesting:
Title: Flashback Event During Cutting Operations
Date: May 25, 1999 Identifier: ERC-99-004
Lessons Learned Statement: To be determined.
Discussion of Event: On May 19, 1999, at approximately 11:40 am, a Bechtel Hanford, Inc. (BHI) Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) worker was performing cutting operations on a section of pipe as part of remediation activities at 107KE. The pipe is 6 feet in diameter and has a wall thickness of 5/8". The welder was using an oxygen/gasoline torch, which was previously used as a technology demonstration conducted by BHI at the 105C Interim Safe Storage Project. The torch model is Oxy-Gasoline Safety Torch, manufactured by PETROGEN. The oxy-gas torch system consists of a three-gallon fuel tank equipped with an automatic flow cut-off valve and pressure release valve, a gasoline supply hose, an oxygen supply hose, and a conventional oxygen bottle. The design of the cutting torch allows gasoline delivery to the tip of the torch in the form of a confined liquid. The expansion of gasoline from a liquid to vapor, and the mixing with oxygen, occurs in the tip. This is designed to eliminate backflash down the fuel line and keep the torch head cool. The entire system has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
The D&D worker performing the cutting operation at 107KE was working for approximately 5 seconds when a second D&D worker, standing on the opposite side and away from the pipe, observed the oxygen hose burst and emit a "road flare" size flame. The second D&D worker quickly notified the D&D worker doing the cutting and the operation was immediately shut down. There were no injuries and only the oxygen hose was damaged.
Per the manufacturer's requirements, the oxy-gas torch in use at 107KE has a flashback arrester installed at the oxygen tank regulator. The manufacturer recognized a flashback might be possible under certain circumstances, and recommended a second flashback arrester be installed at the torch. This second flashback arrester was not installed at the torch at the time of the incident. The line burst approximately 10-12' from the D&D worker and approximately 50' from the tank. There were no workers near the line when it burst.
Analysis: While further analysis is underway, the manufacturer recommends the oxygen line be purged prior to ignition, to help prevent flashbacks. Initial interviews with the workers indicate the oxygen line purge was completed prior to ignition. Further investigation is underway to determine cause and an updated lessons learned will be issued in the near future.
__________________
Rick Horwitz, AB7FH
At almost $1000.00 to purchase, I don't see an advantage, unless you regularly needed to cut through 8" or so of steel...
Regards,
DSD
There are a lot of advantages to this torch. As noted previously, there's no vapor present in the gas line, so it can't cause a backflash. The gas flame oxidizes quickly, so there's no molten steel left after the cut. The tips run relatively cool and don't clog. The underwater system uses a 2.5 gal tank, so it's light (30 lbs). They cut great and the fuel is accessable. This is important if you find yourself working in an isolated area.
OP
boyd marine
Registered
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 0
Thanks for the info guys I just ordered it so I will let you know how it goes next week
How about an update?
Hi every one,I‘ve used the Petrogen once in Angola some 18 years ago on a wreck removal work.This cutting torch worked wonderfully well above water but I never could use it properly under water. At the beginning, I followed the guidelines given by the constructor but the torch extinguished every time.Then having nevertheless a great experience with underwater burning torches, I tried to use my own rules. It didn’t work either it was not possible to have a regular cut.For result, the next day I continued the work with cutting rods. 
Similar threads
