Regeneration

REGENERATION:

1 Kg of Purifying Mass will purify a total of 50 to 55 Cubic Meters of impure Acetylene Gas in 15 to 20 regerations, provided Calcium Carbide used in the process is of standard Quality.the purification value can be still higher with more Regenerations.

When the activity of the purifying mass is exhausted due to saturation of metallic complexes of impurities trapped during the filtration of the gas ,the acetylene gas coming out of the purifyier gives negative test with silver nitrate.Then the regeneration of mass is done by opening the top of the purifier & by blowing ordinary air through the chamber.This is done by an air blower (at the rate of passing acetylene gas through the purifier) for 48 to 72 hrs.

Regeneration can also be done by oxidising the exhausted mass in open air for a day or two.Some water may be sprinkled if the mass has become bone dry, before sieving.However this takes more time & is not suitable for continues plant.The regenration is repeated several times before the mass is finally discarded i.e till the economics of regeneration is against wasting the gas.After every successive regeneration mass will serve the purification purpose for lesser duration.

While blowing the air through the mass for regeneration ,the temperature of mass increases.It is better to control this temp below 45C by adjusted the blowing rate or by passing air bubbled through cold water or by sprinkling cold water on the mass.The purifying mass should not fly away or form paste at the bottom.

Regeneration cycle ,control of temp & moisture in the purifying chamber & getting best of the purifying mass is matter of practical experience of plant engineer.Size of the blower,purifying chamber,quantity of purifying mass in use,drawing rate of acetylene gas or the air are the factors involved in the process.There are sufficient guidelines for this from the plant manufacturers.

After regeneration air is blown off from the chamber completely and only then acetylene gas is passed to the cylinders for filling.The purifying mass is corrosive, so the purifying chamber should be periodically painted with acid proof/anti corrosive paint.