Large Tip Cutting Torch Oxygen Flow

Large tip cutting torches require high oxygen flow rates to operate properly. Flow rate requirements of +/- 1000 scfh are commonly encountered. It is also common for users to try and feed these large tip torches from a single liquid cylinder that has a vaporizing flow capacity of only +/- 300 scfh. The ineffectiveness of this has been discussed in previous articles, but never shown like this new video from Victor

http://www.jenobi.com/clientsites/thermadyne/video.htm

Hit the link and it should load right up. It provides a great explanation of the challenge of running large tip torches and the benefits of having proper liquid oxygen vaporization.

By the way- The side mount vaporizers shown are manufactured by West Cryogenics, Inc. and distributed by Eddie's Welding Supply and other gas and welding distributors.

Flow vs. Pressure- Boiled Frog Syndrome

Customer Y calls in January to ask about problems with his cutting torch work. “I just don’t understand. In August, everything seemed to be working fine. Now we are extra busy and my guys just can’t seem to cut like we were. We’ve turned the pressure builders all the way up, but that just doesn’t seem to help.”

Visiting, we find that several things have changed since August. He is, in fact, a great deal busier and now has 3 to 5 torches running off a liquid cylinder where he previously had 1 or 2. They’ve moved up to larger bore cutting tips and it is colder outside. All have combined to reduce the flow of vaporized oxygen gas that he is able to get to each torch.

This is a common and often misdiagnosed problem- especially where changes have occurred gradually or where users have switched sources from high pressure oxygen cylinders to cryogenic liquid oxygen. In many cases, the attempted solution is to increase pressure by going to high pressure liquid cylinders or cranking up the pressure builder on what they have. This sometimes makes the problem even worse by overflowing available ambient vaporization.

If the real issue is inadequate flow of gaseous molecules then the solution is often as simple as adding additional vaporization downstream. Very high use applications such as feeding multiple oxygen lances or large cutting tips might require you to link multiple liquid cylinders or go to a larger tank.

- Photo provided courtesy of Oxylance, Inc.