Cutting and heating system using natural gas blowtorches

Introduction

In the cutting and heating process (oxy-fuel welding and cutting), oxygen and a combustible gas are mixed in the blowtorch to trigger combustion. That combustion can provide sufficient energy to heat and cut materials.

The oxygen and other non-combustible gases are mixed with others that are used for the combustion process in a chamber, which is connected to the blowtorch using a specialised pipe. The oxygen is mixed with a combustible gas (natural gas) in order to produce a flame to heat the material. More oxygen is then added to cut the material. The flame intensity can be controller using a regulator that limits the maximum gas flow.

Gases Used

Oxygen and a combustible gas are mainly used for gas cutting. Each of the gases have a specific function within the cutting process.

Traditionally, the oxygen and the combustible gas were supplied from propane or acetylene canisters, using pressure reducers and along a flexible pipe to a blowtorch. In this article, we will explain the Nortegas solution for the fuel to be supplied along a rigid pipe connected to the main supply.

Oxygen. It is an essential element in the cutting process. Oxygen is mainly used to cut certain metals.
Natural Gas. It is a primary energy source, which is consumed straight as it is extracted from nature. As it is a continuous energy supply, it does not need any type of storage and is always available as needed. Its gross calorific value is 10.440 kcal/m³.

Nortegas Solution

The Nortegas proposal is to replace the traditional supply using propane bottles by an optimised solution where the natural gas is supplied by a main flow directly connected to our large supply network, which currently consists of 8,100 kilometres of distribution networks in three Autonomous Regions: the Basque Country, Asturias and Cantabria. We are also steadily expanding it and producing personalised studies to bring the network to our customers.

Elements of the solution

Gas Natural (Nortegas distributor)
- 1- Indoor connection
- 2- Regulation and Measurement Station
- Indoor distribution, which in turn consists of:
  - 3- Fitting a regulation panel
  - 4- Natural gas manifold with down-pipes on pillars to each work area
  - 6- Llave de apertura
  - 7- Hand blowtorch
Oxygen (Distributed using a cryogenic tanker)
- Storage complex
  - Tank
  - PPR offloading
  - PPR Tank
  - Evaporator
  - Regulation equipment

Advantages

Uninterrupted gas supply

As you will be directly connected to the Nortegas network, you will enjoy an uninterrupted and convenient supply and will not have to call your distributor at regular intervals.

Storage

You can eliminate bottle storage and logistics as there is no need to store them. The whole process will also be safer.

Advantages for your company

MORE COST-EFFECTIVE

According to our recent studies, the solution using natural gas rather than propane leads to average savings of 20%. Unused fuel is also lost every time a bottle is changed.

SAFER

Natural gas, as it is lighter than air, rises up to the highest part of the premises and it is therefore easier to eliminate. Other gases such as propane accumulate at lower levels and there is therefore a risk of explosion.

MORE CONVENIENT

If you already have natural gas, the system can be implemented almost immediately. There will no longer be any need for the bulky bottles in the workshop and the continuous supply of natural gas will be guaranteed.

Help for Companies

Nortegas will help you with the installation in the most efficient way possible.

If you already have a natural gas installation, we will help you to adapt your facilities to the new processes, with the help of our authorised installers and our team with extensive experience in gas-based solutions.

If, on the other hand, you do not have any type of installation, we will provide a personalised study and adapted to your needs.

If you are considering a change of system or a new installation, we have a team of experts to advise you.