Oxy-acet (thermal cutting)

[rory1]

Is the battery-start an alternative to a CDI capsule

i have used lance torches (topside, not underwater)with a lead on to connect to a large auto battery, this method does work but i have found it takes a bit of time to get a good arc and start the lance.

subsequently, a lot of these arcing leads got chopped/cut/ripped/burned off and a lamp is used to start the lance. after all, if you have the gear to perform lancing operations then you would probably have burning gear.

 

[runnach]

then why are normal thermic lances started with an oxy-acetylene torch, which seems like a lot more hassle.

Is the battery-start an alternative to a CDI capsule, and do these same rods work just as well in air, rather than underwater?

Re: O&A starting, I can't speak for the other type thermal lance George, I have only used Broco.

I remember when doing topside initial training burning anything that would not move, CDI's were what we used, I also remember CDI's were approx £8.00 a pop. So small battery topside is far more economical.

Of course rods will perform far better at 1bar pressure, going down to say even 2bar will require increased O2 pressure, this off course increases the deeper one goes. At the time we were using them, there was a depth limit, I'd imagine with increased technology depth limit will have been increased?

Topside user will only have fresh air as an obstacle cooling cut area, U/W user has cooling effect of surrounding water of course..........

Cheers...............