Petrogen Torch Module - Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department

Hya$sville
Volunteer
Fire
Department
Training
Petrogen
Torch
Module
How
Petrogen
Torch
Works
•  The
petrogen
torch
system
takes
gasoline
from
the
tank
and
oxygen
from
a
cylinder
through
separate
hoses
and
combines
them
in
the
torch
head.
In
the
<p
of
the
torch
the
pressurized
gasoline
expands
rapidly
cooling
the
inside
of
the
<p.
The
high
velocity
of
the
oxygen
moving
through
the
<p
creates
the
flame
which
effec<vely
burns
through
the
material
you
will
be
cuBng.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
What
the
Petrogen
Torch
Cuts
•  The
torch
we
have
can
be
used
to
cut
many
different
things
from
steel
plates
and
I‐‐‐I
beams,
to
making
plunge
cuts
in
very
thick
metal.
A
petrogen
torch
will
not
cut
through
cast
iron,
and
will
have
difficulty
with
stainless
steel.
Stainless
is
more
resistant
to
oxida<on
and
therefore
uses
much
more
fuel
for
the
torch
to
burn
through
it.
Comparably
an
acetylene
torch
will
not
cut
stainless
at
all.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
When
to
Use
the
Petrogen
Torch
•  Like
many
tools
on
the
Rescue
Squad
the
petrogen
torch
is
only
limited
to
the
user’s
familiarity
and
ability
to
operate
it.
Likewise
its
applica<on
is
limited
to
the
crew’s
crea<vity
and
ingenuity.
•  Prac<cality
and
discipline
are
also
important
when
op<ng
to
use
the
torch
because
of
safety
and
atmosphere.
When
using
the
torch
on
large
objects
we
must
be
prepared
to
handle
the
material
we
will
be
cuBng
away.
This
may
include
sec<ons
of
building
material
in
excess
of
hundreds
of
pounds
or
machinery
with
many
dangerous
moving
parts.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Setup
•  To
set
up
the
torch
you
will
need:
–  Orange
Pelican
Case
–  Oxygen
Supply
–  Tank
Filled
with
Regular
Gasoline
–  Oxygen
and
Fuel
Hoses
–  Torch
Handle
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Setup‐contd.
•  Fill
Gas
Tank
with
regular
87
octane
fuel.
Make
sure
fuel
is
fresh
and
has
no
addi<ves.
•  Pump
tank
to
20
psi.
This
can
be
done
by
one
person
while
the
remainder
is
being
assembled.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Setup‐contd.
•  A]ach
red
hose
to
torch
with
corresponding
coupling.
•  A]ach
back
flash
arrestor
to
torch
and
then
green
hose
to
back
flash
arrestor.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Setup‐contd.
•  Connect
the
free
end
of
the
green
hose
to
the
oxygen
regulator.
•  Connect
the
free
end
of
the
red
hose
to
the
gasoline
tank
valve.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch‐Light
Up
•  Begin by inspecting all fittings for tightness.
•  Select the correct tip size for the steel to be
cut. The tip chart can be found on the side of
the gasoline tank.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch‐Light
Up‐contd.
•  For this exercise we are
going to cut 4 inch steel,
so we will use a tip size
#3 with 35-40 psi of
oxygen, and 10-20 psi of
gasoline.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Set
Oxygen
•  Notice that the gauge on the
right indicates the total
amount of pressure still in
the bottle, while the gauge
on the left indicates the
amount of pressure to the
torch. Here the oxygen
pressure is set to 40 psi.
When opening the oxygen
bottle, always open the
valve fully.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Set
Gasoline
•  To insure good
performance, keep
the gasoline tank
pressurized 10-20 lbs.
Here the tank is set to
20 psi. Be sure to
open the fuel valve
fully when using the
Petrogen system.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Preheat
Oxygen
•  Turn
the
preheat
oxygen
knob
open
½
turn.
Use the + and – to index ½
turn
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Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Set
Gasoline
Mist
•  Turn the gasoline
control knob
approximately ¼ turn.
The torch is easier to
light rich than lean, so
increase the fuel
slightly past ¼ if
necessary for easy
light up.
5/31/09
Use the + and – on the sticker to index ¼ turn.
Use the material you will be cutting to help
you see the mist of gasoline.
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐LighHng
•  Place the sparker directly
in front of the tip and
ignite the gasoline/
oxygen mist.
•  Avoid leaving the sparker
in front of the tip too long
before lighting, as the
gasoline mist will soak
the flint and you will have
to wait for the wet flint to
dry.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Adjustments
•  Before making any
adjustments, place the tip
directly to the steel, holding
it at a 45 degree angle so
that you can observe the
steel’s reaction to the
preheat flame.
•  Touching the tip to the steel
instantly brings the tip up to
proper operating
temperature.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Flame
Quality
This flame is too rich, as it has a large
yellow/orange tint, and the steel directly
under the preheat flame is not quickly
becoming cherry red. Reduce the gasoline.
5/31/09
This flame is too lean. It has a wispy sound
like it wants to go out, it is weak in color, and
the steel directly under the preheat flame is
not cherry red. Increase the gasoline.
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Light
Up‐Flame
Quality‐contd.
• 
• 
• 
This well adjusted flame produces a
hot cherry bead on the steel, has a
strong sound, and should be mostly
without orange and yellow tint (difficult
to capture in photo).
Focus on the reaction of the steel
directly under the preheat flame. The
flame may have a yellowish tint if the
gasoline is old, dirty, or if the hose is
brand new.
The flame is adjusted correctly when
the steel is the hottest directly under
the preheat flame. Some yellow/
orange tint is acceptable, and should
not alter performance.
5/31/09
This is a well adjusted flame
Here the steel is becoming molten
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Safety
•  Like
any
other
func<on
when
we
are
opera<ng
PPE
is
a
must
with
the
torch.
In
the
absence
of
welding
jackets
and
gloves
we
should
be
wearing
our
turnout
coats
and
leather
firefigh<ng
gloves.
•  We
should
also
be
wearing
welding
shields
or
goggles.
•  Watch
out
for
slag.
It
is
2500
degrees.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Safety‐contd.
•  Remember
you
are
cuBng
heavy
gauge
steel.
A
10”
by
10”
I
‐
beam
can
weigh
up
to
112
pounds
per
foot
and
will
certainly
crush
what
ever
it
lands
on
if
not
properly
rigged.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module
Petrogen
Torch
Cleanup
•  Torch
<ps
should
be
inspected
acer
every
use.
•  Tips
should
be
cleaned
using
brushes
from
kit.
•  All
Gasoline
should
be
removed
from
the
tank
as
we
are
going
to
use
fresh
gasoline
next
<me
we
use
the
torch.
5/31/09
Petrogen
Torch
Module