Posted by Bob H [64.124.192.194] on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 12:58:37 :
In Reply to: Re: Startlling experience with torch -- anybody else had this? posted by Sparky [76.206.24.89] on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 08:54:10 :
Gas cylinder companies don't do a hydrostatic test on acetylene bottles. bottles are filled with balsa wood and infusionable (fullers) earth to absorb the liquid acetylene. Testing of cylinders is performed using 10psi compressed air, plug openings with blind cap/plug and submerge in water with valve in 1/4-1/ turn open. bubbles emitting from valve or fusible plugs on bottom of cylinder is cause for rejection and replacement.
Testing is performed every 3-years, after 15-years of use cylinder is destroyed as the internal filler can no longer absorb the liquid acetylene.