Acetylene Mixture Stabilization via Calcium Carbide Reaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acetylene gas is unsafe for widespread use due to explosive tendencies at pressures above 15 psig, necessitating costly storage and handling measures, limiting its adoption as a natural gas substitute.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocarbon-containing mixture comprising acetylene, butenyne, and dimethyl butadiyne, produced through a reaction with solid calcium carbide, which is stable at higher pressures, allowing for safe storage and use without solvents or porous media, and can be used in a variety of applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional acetylene gas is used, then high energy content is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to explosive tendencies at pressures above 15 psig
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing butenyne (10-89%) and dimethyl butadiyne (0.25-10%) into the acetylene mixture. This compositional modification fundamentally alters the pressure-stability characteristics while preserving high energy content, allowing safe operation at pressures above 15 psig without explosive tendencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hydrocarbon mixture combining acetylene with butenyne and dimethyl butadiyne. This composite formulation synergistically combines the high energy properties of acetylene with the stabilizing effects of the other hydrocarbons, achieving both safety and energy performance simultaneously
2Reliability
If acetylene is stored dissolved in solvent within metal cylinder with porous filling, then safety is improved, but cost increases and usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the solvent and porous filling components from the acetylene storage system. By formulating a hydrocarbon mixture that is inherently stable at elevated pressures, the invention removes the need for complex storage infrastructure, allowing use of simple conventional tanks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex storage systems with simple, conventional tanks. The hydrocarbon mixture formulation allows using readily available, inexpensive storage infrastructure without specialized porous media or solvent systems, significantly reducing capital and operational costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hydrocarbon-containing mixture is stable at pressures above 20 psig for extended periods, enabling safe storage and use in conventional tanks, expanding its application range while maintaining high energy content comparable to natural gas.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the feed stream with solid calcium carbide (CaC2) to produce a hydrocarbon-containing mixture comprising acetylene and butenyne
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrocarbon-containing mixture including acetylene and butenyne is disclosed. The hydrocarbon-containing mixture can include 10% to 89% acetylene, 10% to 89% butenyne, and at least 0.25% dimethyl butadiyne. A method and system for producing the hydrocarbon-containing mixture is also disclosed. The system can include an acetylene production subsystem comprising at least one vessel and an acetylene output for delivering acetylene to a finishing vessel via a finishing vessel inlet. The finishing vessel can include a diffuser in fluid communication with the finishing vessel inlet, and gas exiting the diffuser can pass through a reaction chamber filled with solid calcium carbide before passing through a finishing vessel outlet.