Old acetylene - too old?

I just rolled two long expired oxy & two acetylene tanks out of my father's garage. All these tanks are still about 70-85% full. They have Dad's old regs. still on them and they still read the internal pressure correctly. The thing is, all these bottles have been sitting unused for 18 years since Dad p***ed away.

I'm not inexperienced with the use of welding tanks and I know the safety caveats. Something I'm not sure about is the 'shelf-life' of acetylene. The tanks were always stored upright.

My concern is, can the acetylene go bad? I have brand new Harris regulators and and I don't want to muck them up with acetone or some other by-product that could harm them. I'm not very concerned about thy Oxy tanks.

PS> One of the Oxy tanks has USN 1944 stamped on the neck!

Jimmy

 

I would try lighting one up and see if it burns normal. Use the old reg just for a test run but ready to shut the tank off incase the diaphragm ruptures or something.

 

I never heard of g***es going bad. The tanks are out of date as far as getting them refilled. They prob cannot be retested. If you have a commercial shop, use them then make them go away before the fire or insurance inspector comes for his visit. You may have a problem getting rid of them. Junk yards usually don't want them in regular s****.

 

I don't know if acetylene breaks down over time however I had an old oxy acetylene cylinders with old style regulators. I removed the regulators and updated to later ones with anti backflow valves and they worked fine. The hoses were old and brittle and just too risky to try and use. Safety is paramount. Cylinders were out of test and when empty I just upgraded.

 

IF the bottle has been stored vertical, there should be no issues with the acetylene and Acetone separating and it will not go bad. If it has been horizontal, then make sure it has a chance to settle in the vertical position for at least a few hours before using, or you could end up getting liquid acetylene out of the tip, which is NOT GOOD.

 

I have used acetylene that was 10 years old with no problem. I have never read anything that talked about it having a shelf life. As stated above if it burns properly then use it.

 

I honestly don't know rules everywhere but I have received refilled bottles with some crazy old dates on them sometimes with 25-30 inspection dates. I think the bottles are good unless damaged but valves require inspection and change outs regularly. High pressure bottles are about the most dangerous items in your garage. Have them picked up by whomever had the contract if they still exist.

 

A little O/T, but old oxygen cylinders which have had the bottoms cut-off to leave the remainders (tops) at different lengths make some of the most wonderful sounding (and loud) wind chimes you'll ever hear. Hang what's left of the cylinder by a pipe ****** screwed-into the original threads where the valve was screwed-in. Takes a "stoutly-built" rig to hold your "wind chimes" up. I've seen chimes like this sell for $1,400. DD

 

Damn, I wish we'd thought of that! Cool idea!!

 

I believe that all cylinders have to have a Hydro Inspection here in the states (or at least in California where I am ) every 10 years.

 

I would be more concerned with the age of the regs. 'spcially the gas. ,the hoses are 'prolly junk after 18 years. Good luck on getting them refilled . I've witnessed welding vendors grinding off the old date stamps and restamping them for a newer date. S

 

I recently brought my 30 year out of inspection oxygen tank to the local welding supply. They would retest/certify it but it was cheaper to get one of their tanks in exchange. Do the tanks have a welding supply name on the top around the valve area. If they do they are owned by that company. If you have your dads old paperwork for that company bring them over to them. If the company is still in existence they might have records.
When I worked as a welder 30 years ago we often saw oxygen tanks that were confi****ed from the NAZIs in wwII. You could see where the swasticker was turned into 4 little squares(make a swasticker and close the open ends.
Dont s**** the tanks till you check with the welding supply company.

Nick

 

my compressed air tank i use on my big mig is a NAZI bottle and it was last tested two years ago i had it revalved as it was formerly a hydrogen bottle....

 

Thanks all,
I hooked up a pair and it seems like the gas is okay. Still, I'm surprised the stuff can sit under pressure for 18+ years and still be good. Jimmy

 

When you trade in an empty for a full one, they don't care if it is out of date. They will recertify the tank, refill it if it O.K. and sell it to another customer.

 

If it lights, use it.