PRODUCTION OF ACETYLENE BY WET METHODS

**Definition:** This place covers:

Methods and apparatus for production of acetylene by wet methods, including arrangements for water feed and carbide feed; high-pressure acetylene generators; details of acetylene generators, e.g. carbide cartridges, carbide compositions, safety devices, sludge removal.

**Limiting references (this place does not cover):** - Purification of acetylene -> C07C7/00 - Gaseous fuel compositions containing acetylene -> C10L3/02 - Absorbing compositions for acetylene -> C10L3/04 - Use of gas-solvents or gas-sorbents for acetylene in vessels -> F17C11/002

**Glossary:** - Wet methods for acetylene production: Traditionally acetylene is manufactured from calcium carbonate (limestone) and coal. The calcium carbonate is first converted into calcium oxide and the coal into coke, then the two are reacted together to form calcium carbide and carbon monoxide:CaO + 3C → CaC2 + COCalcium carbide (calcium acetylide) and water are then reacted by any of several methods to produce acetylene and calcium hydroxide, by a reaction discovered by Friedrich Wöhler in 1862.CaC2 + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + C2H2