Production and Combustion of Acetylene

Carbide miner's lamp, butane lighter.

Calcium carbide, water

1. Add approximately 10 grams of solid calcium carbide to the bottom chamber of the lamp.
2. Securely screw the two parts of the lamp together.
3. Fill the upper chamber of the lamp with water.

1. Turn the water drop control lever located on the top of the lamp approximately 3 clicks in a clockwise direction.
2. Wait approximately 10 seconds to allow the acetylene concentration to built up and to flush the oxygen out of the lamp.
3. Light the butane lighter and bring it near the gas outlet nozzle located in the center of the reflector. The acetylene should ignite and a flame will project from the nozzle.
4. Adjust the water drop lever clockwise to make the flame larger or counter-clockwise to make the flame smaller. Dimming the room light will show just how powerful a source of illumination this lamp can be.
5. To turn the lamp off, return the water drop lever to its original position. The flame will become smaller and eventually go out as the supply of acetylene is exhausted.

Calcium carbide produces flammable acetylene upon contact with water. The calcium carbide may contain a contaminant resulting in the release of the toxic gas phosphine on contact with water. Inhalation: Cough, Laboured breathing, Shortness of breath, Sore throat. Skin: Redness, Skin burns, Pain. Eyes: Redness, Pain, Blurred vision, Severe deep burns. Ingestion: Laboured breathing. Shock or collapse (further see Inhalation).

The reaction between calcium carbide and water to form acetylene id shown below:

CaC₂ (s) + 2H₂O (l) Ca(OH)₂ (aq) + C₂H₂ (g)

The combustion of acetylene is illustrated by the following reaction.

2 C₂H₂ (g) + 5 O₂ (g) 4 CO₂ (g) + 2 H₂O (g)

The resulting flame is a very luminous yellow.

1. Developed in house.