Studies in acetylene flames. IV. Dangers associated with carbon monoxide produced from acetylene lamps in coal mines

Abstract

The present paper is an endeavour to interpret the experimental results (previously obtained by the present authors) from the point of view of safety in mines in which open acetylene lamps are used as the source of illumination. The danger caused by the formation of CO from acetylene lamps in isolated workings becomes distinctly serious when the oxygen content of the atmosphere falls to 17% or below. At this concentration of 17% oxygen, and operating with two acetylene lamps (2‐in. flames) in an isolated working of 1000‐cu. ft. capacity, the concentration of CO in the working could reach the value of 0.09% after a period of 8 hr. It is estimated that under these conditions the time of exposure required to cause death would be under 2 hr. Tables are provided which enable the concentration of CO in an atmosphere to be estimated under any particular conditions.