Fuel ??????

[Hothead Beads]

I got my new mini cc, and was wondering if I could use the rest of my propylene fuel. It is almost full and I hate to waste it.
Anybody done this before or is it a no no??
Thanks in advance.

[Wonker]

Teri,

I can't tell you about a mini-cc but I just got a piranha a few weeks ago and emailed Bethlehem to ask about using propylene and they said they use it at the shop from time to time with no problem and that it should work just fine although the temperature was theoretically cooler. He also said that I'd never notice the difference in the temperature. I know that doesn't answer your question directly, but I would think that it would be the same for the mini-cc.

[Hothead Beads]

Well DUH!!! :oops: I never thought about calling Carlisle. LOL
Must be the part-timers kicking in!:badgrin:
Thanks

[kbinkster]

I'm sorry I didn't catch this thread earlier. I had a pm regarding this very same thing just the other day, so it's fresh in my mind.

Propylene is has acetylene in it. So, it is hotter and dirtier than propane. It is harsher on your colors because of this.

If you choose to run it, you might want to work farther out in the flame than you normally would.

[Sue in Maine]

I have a mini cc and am thinking I was told NOT to do this. I waited to hook up my mini until I used up my 70 pound tank of propylene on my hh.

I also purchased new hoses when I switched from propylene to propane. Don't forget the pressure gauge and flash back arrester either.

Sue

[Hothead Beads]

Just incase anybody else was wondering the same. I did receive an email from Carlisle saying they would not warranty the torch if I chose to use the propylene.

[R4GlassStudio]

The tech side.
Quick answer yes, you can burn it. Turn down the mix vrs O2. If you run 5psi Propane, then lower the Propylene to 4 PSI and keep the O2 the same.
Propylene C3H6
Neutral Flame Temp = 5200
BTU / ft3 = 2371

Propane C8H8
Neutral Flame Temp = 4580
BTU / ft3 = 2498

The translation is, propylene is a little hotter in the inner cone of the flame, but less heat in the outter cone vrs propane. That is why working farther away from the cone like K says will work fine.

[kbinkster]

GTT has done extensive testing with different fuels (like propylene, MAPP, and Hydrogen). They found that propylene was the worst, with MAPP coming in second. It not only will produce a lot of carbon at the face, it will produce horrible candle glare - that can give you headaches over time.

Running propylene won't affect your warranty on a GTT, but I cannot speak for other companies' warranties.

It just isn't a good fuel for working soft glass or boro, in my opinion. But, if you want to work with it anyway, then keep in mind that it is hotter, harsher, adapt accordingly.

[kbinkster]

There's really no need to drop your pressures at the tank. The needle valves on the torch control the flow, anyway.

The only thing changing the pressures at the tank does is change how sensitive the needle valves are. The higher the pressure, the less you have to turn the knob to make the adjustment (more sensitive). The lower the pressure, the more you have to turn the knob to make the adjustment (less sensitive). A difference of one pound of pressure is negligable.

[R4GlassStudio]

good info Kimberly