Patents and Reports
Take a look at the AFuels' Patents and Reports section for in-depth research and development documentation.| Production |
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The Source of AcetyleneAcetylene is produced by a process that employs two abundant and inexpensive materials: limestone and a carbon source. Although there are many processes that have been developed to create acetylene, the most common uses calcium carbonate (limestone) and a carbon source such as coal as the base products. These two products react creating calcium carbide that in turn reacts with water immediately to create acetylene gas. Acetylene can also be manufactured by thermal cracking of hydrocarbons, or by partial combustion of methane from the gasification of agricultural waste or biomass. Due to the fact that acetylene is currently used primarily in welding and cutting perations, the perception has grown that acetylene is a relatively rare gas. Actually, the supply and production potential of acetylene is abundant and the manufacturing process compared to other forms of fuel is relatively inexpensive.How does that compare to the supply of petroleum products or natural gas? Acetylene gas generates about 1,400 BTUs per cubic foot. When measured in terms of BTU values, one trillion cubic feet (current production potential) of acetylene represents about 3.5% of the entire U.S. petroleum products market and approximately 7% of the annual natural gas market. That potential level of acetylene production assumes no increase in coal or petroleum consumption. With increased demand, those numbers could easily double within the next five years.
AFuels Potential: If 10GW of new power were biomass-acetylene power, this would equal:
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Potential Acetylene Production Capability Industry Factors: