Hydrogen Fuel Safty

[Anonymous]

For those of you using hydrogen fuel, the regulator from acetylene is not suitable, otherwise the rest of the acetylene rig is hydrogen ready.

For safety reason one should only use the proper hydrogen regulator designed for hydrogen fuel the regulator has a stainless steel or Reinforced Neoprene diaphragm to prevent ruptures or leaks which would possibly vent an explosive mixture of gas into your work area. The acetylene regulator uses a fabric diaphragm.

Victor Technical Support 1 800 426 1888

Best Regards
G

 

[machiavelli976]

Is the regulator for acetylene suitable for propane and vice-versa ?

 

[Anonymous]

Is the regulator for acetylene suitable for propane and vice-versa ?

Yes the acetylene regulator is suitable for propane, it's all I have ever used.

 

[lazersteve]

For those of you using hydrogen fuel, the regulator from acetylene is not suitable, otherwise the rest of the acetylene rig is hydrogen ready.

For safety reason one should only use the proper hydrogen regulator designed for hydrogen fuel the regulator has a stainless steel or Reinforced Neoprene diaphragm to prevent ruptures or leaks which would possibly vent an explosive mixture of gas into your work area. The acetylene regulator uses a fabric diaphragm.

Victor Technical Support 1 800 426 1888

Best Regards
G

Gill,

Do you have a good part number for the regulator?

The air gas guy told me the acetylene gauges were fine for hydrogen. I'll need to swap mine out.

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

For those of you using hydrogen fuel, the regulator from acetylene is not suitable, otherwise the rest of the acetylene rig is hydrogen ready.

For safety reason one should only use the proper hydrogen regulator designed for hydrogen fuel the regulator has a stainless steel or Reinforced Neoprene diaphragm to prevent ruptures or leaks which would possibly vent an explosive mixture of gas into your work area. The acetylene regulator uses a fabric diaphragm.

Victor Technical Support 1 800 426 1888

Best Regards
G

Gill,

Do you have a good part number for the regulator?

The air gas guy told me the acetylene gauges were fine for hydrogen. I'll need to swap mine out.

Steve

Stve you'll notice that the hydrogen regulator has a vented outlet, for sensitive environments I believe you could lead this vent outdoors via tubing.

Here's the regulator I purchased from ebay $45.00 retails $299.00 there are more available on auction or BIN's for much less money.

What you want is Hydrogen/Methane service.

Opps here's the Model # you asked for Victor SR252B-350

 

[qst42know]

Make and model will make all the difference. Confirm the compatibility with the equipment manufacturer, not the tank yard guy. :mrgreen:


https://ecatalog.praxair.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10551&categoryId=10857&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10529

 

[lazersteve]

Make and model will make all the difference. Confirm the compatibility with the equipment manufacturer, not the tank yard guy. :mrgreen:


https://ecatalog.praxair.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10551&categoryId=10857&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10529

The guy I dealt with looked everything up on his computer and made two phone calls to confirm the equipment matched the tank. He told me all I needed was a replacement stem for the gauge to work and I bought the stem and tank from him, swapped the stem myself and have been using it since.

The interesting part is that the last time I tried to use my hydrogen torch after it sat unused for several months, the gauge started leaking from the back of the dial. Of course I cut the gas off and haven't tried it since. Perhaps Gill's post explains why I had this problem. The torch has always worked fine up until then. I'll grab a new gauge and see if it works again.

Steve

 

[qst42know]

Steve do you release the pressure from the hoses and regulator when you are finished using it? There is a shut down procedure in this link.

http://www.ilpi.com/inorganic/glassware/regulators.html

You may have gotten a stinker right from the start but the Bourdon tube in the gauge is probably the thinnest point in the system, and hydrogen permeability was one of the safety concerns mentioned for a hydrogen fueled vehicle.

 

[lazersteve]

Steve do you release the pressure from the hoses and regulator when you are finished using it? There is a shut down procedure in this link.

http://www.ilpi.com/inorganic/glassware/regulators.html

You may have gotten a stinker right from the start but the Bourdon tube in the gauge is probably the thinnest point in the system, and hydrogen permeability was one of the safety concerns mentioned for a hydrogen fueled vehicle.

Yes.

I've been using it for several years. The last time I changed the hydrogen bottle I developed this problem. It appears to be leaking from a tiny hole on the back of the regulator dial or somewhere around there.

Steve

 

[qst42know]

From the regulator body itself, then it can be rebuilt with fresh seals and diaphragm of the right type.

 

[Lou]

NEVER use any regulator that isn't approved for hydrogen. Don't swap out the CGA fittings.

I use hydrogen daily, and there are specially made regulators and tubing for it. The diaphragm must be specially made or it will leak and eventually fail.


Good looking out Gil !!

 

[Anonymous]

From the regulator body itself, then it can be rebuilt with fresh seals and diaphragm of the right type.

Rebuilding a regulator not suited for Hydrogen/Methane service could bring about disastrous results for both you and the shop that sold you the parts.

If an accident should arise from improper use of regulator your insurance would surly be void, something to think about when your landlord and neighbors are suing your *** off.

My Hydrogen regulator arrived this morning, the body is clearly stamped - Gas Service, Hydrogen/Methane. On the bottom of the regulator you will note another fitting to attach a vent hose to exhaust gas from a possible internal leak or in the event of a diaphragm rupture.

The vent fitting is actually a pressure relief valve.

It would be strongly advised to use a back-flash eliminator on your supply hose.

 

[lazersteve]

My new one showed today also!

I already had the hoses and arrestors.

The new one was clearly marked for Hydrogen Gas on the website were I purchased it.

Steve

 

[qst42know]

From the regulator body itself, then it can be rebuilt with fresh seals and diaphragm of the right type.

Rebuilding a regulator not suited for Hydrogen/Methane service could bring about disastrous results for both you and the shop that sold you the parts.

If an accident should arise from improper use of regulator your insurance would surly be void, something to think about when your landlord and neighbors are suing your *** off.

My Hydrogen regulator arrived this morning, the body is clearly stamped - Gas Service, Hydrogen/Methane. On the bottom of the regulator you will note another fitting to attach a vent hose to exhaust gas from a possible internal leak or in the event of a diaphragm rupture.

The vent fitting is actually a pressure relief valve.

It would be strongly advised to use a back-flash eliminator on your supply hose.

I didn't intend to imply this was a home project. :!: Your gas dealer knows a professional certified re builder almost certainly. To have this service done around here it's about 1/3 the cost of a new regulator if your gauges are in good condition.

Many brand name torches have flash back supressors built in.