Petrogen uses liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel for the same reason we use them in our automobiles - because they are safe, stable, always available and affordable.
A large part of why we use liquid fuels in our vehicles is because the fuel itself is very stable. The combustion of liquid fuel is not possible without oxygen present. This is how Petrogen’s “tank to tip” fuel delivery eliminates fuel line flashback. The liquid fuel stays liquid all the way from the fuel tank to the tip of the torch. There the fuel and oxygen meet and mix to make an ignitable vapor. Liquid fuel also enables operators to detect any fuel leak anywhere in the system, an advantage over compressed gas systems.
As the liquid fuel evaporates inside the Petrogen tip, it creates a refrigerant effect. The higher the tip size, the cooler it runs. This is one reason why Petrogen tips can last for a year plus with regular use.
The liquid fuel flame oxidizes nearly 100% of the steel as it cuts, thus producing lightweight slag and sparks that are much less harmful. It also reduces puddling of molten steel under the cut.
There is a longer release of BTUs in the liquid fuel flame enabling operators to increase the coupling distance between the torch and the steel surface. This helps prevent potentially damaging heat and/or debris when needed.
Petrogen systems have many built-in safety features. The ASME code liquid fuel tank has two main safety components:
The “Fast Flow Check Valve” activates if there is a spike in fuel line pressure (i.e. dry or severed fuel line).
The High Pressure Relief valve located in the Filler Cap is designed to release pressure that exceeds the valve’s capacity, preventing the fuel tank from becoming a hazard if it is in a fire.
The standard Petrogen tank holding 2.5 gallons of gasoline weighs only 20 pounds. It has a cutting capacity of 8 to 10 hours. An equivalent 250 cubic foot acetylene cylinder weighs over 118 pounds. Our small tank size reduces the potential for injury from moving the cylinders, which can be difficult and dangerous to transport.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
The Petrogen System has been UL certified since 1984.
US Department of Energy (DOE)
Petrogen has been deemed suitable for use inside nuclear reactor facilities for maintenance and decommissioning.
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
The Petrogen Cutting Torch technology has been deemed suitable for use in all mining operation, including underground coal mines by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Petrogen has been chosen as the prime technology for structural collapse and heavy vehicle extrication and is currently in service with all 28 FEMA teams.
City and State Fire Rescue Services
Petrogen has been chosen as the cutting tool of choice for every major city in America, the UK, Japan, Australia and many more. Petrogen equipment currently serves in over 3500 cities.
U.S. Navy*
Petrogen has been approved for use on U.S. Navy vessels.
*No. 974 FLAMMABLE LIQUID 20 April 1987
Certificated for use as an article of stores on board vessels. This certification only covers hazards in the use of this product. The efficiency of this product is not passed upon.
The same liquid fuel advantages that make Petrogen safe also produce phenomenal performance compared to other oxy-fuel systems.
With liquid fuel's higher oxidation rate, cuts are made faster by not having to melt through material. The Petrogen flame cuts cleanly right through the steel on a single pass because of the nearly complete oxidation. Other oxy-fuel systems may only oxidize the material as low as 70% and have to melt through the rest.
This benefits operations in more ways than just faster cuts. With the steel almost completely consumed, there is no slag build up or reconnecting material, so cuts can be made in one pass. Also, without slag build up, grinding a cut for re-welding is no longer necessary.
Additionally, the higher oxidation rate also allows Petrogen systems to use Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen (93-95% pure). Though, operators can expect as much as a 35% drop in performance (for every 1% of oxygen purity reduced, the cutting speed/performance will be reduced by 3-5%), the Petrogen system is the only oxy-fuel cutting torch that can use an oxygen purity below that of cryogenic.
Liquid fuel’s longer release of BTU’s is another large contributing factor to the cutting capabilities of the Petrogen system. The heavy vapors of liquid fuel push combustion all the way down the length of the flame. This longer duration of combustion pushes further into the steel and continues to heat down the length of the cut. The BTUs released by the burning steel also add to the flame’s heat and penetration.
This is what allows the Petrogen system to make stacked/layered cuts, air gap cuts, and deep hole punches. It is also the reason why coupling distance with the Petrogen system is so flexible and why preheating through dirt and paint happens much quicker.
Petrogen fuel is regular gasoline, diesel or kerosene, costing a fraction of conventional fuel expense.
Petrogen offers huge savings in fuel costs. Operators with Petrogen can anticipate eight plus continuous hours of cutting with two gallons of liquid fuel, a cost of about $8.00. The same cutting time using acetylene requires a 250-cubic foot cylinder at a cost of around $230. With this drastic decrease in fuel cost, saving begins immediately. As for less expensive oxy-fuels like propane, fuel cost savings are still there, but oxygen consumption is increased over Petrogen. There is a 30% savings in oxygen consumption with Petrogen compared to propane.
Another saving benefit is the availability of liquid fuel. In many instances, users will have a liquid fuel already on site, and if not, it is just a matter of locating the local gas station for a fuel of choice (Examples: any grade gasoline, white gas, camping fuel, or after-market stabilized. With the the Multi-Fuel Adapter and High Heat Tips diesel, biodiesel, or kerosene may then be utilized). The savings in liquid fuel’s availability comes into play when operators are pressed for time and need fuel instantly. Having fuel readily available reduces both delays in operations and also eliminates delivery fees/charges.
