Plant Operators talk acetylene with Welding and Gases Today.

Press Release Summary:



When the supply of calcium carbide unexpectedly came under strain this spring, gases and welding distributors' emergency planning was put to the test. To handle the challenge of supply and avoid an acetylene shortage, many distributors looked to import calcium carbide from overseas. Ten acetylene plant operators share their stories in the article titled "What to do When the Sky is Falling," which appears in the Summer 2011 issue of Welding and Gases Today.



Original Press Release:



Plant Operators Talk Acetylene with Welding & Gases Today



Gases and welding distributors' emergency planning put to test by calcium carbide strain.

Dewitt, NY - When the supply of calcium carbide unexpectedly came under strain this spring, gases and welding distributors were put to the test. Were they ready? What did they learn from the situation? Ten acetylene plant operators shared their stories in "What To Do When The Sky Is Falling." The article appears in the Summer 2011 issue of Welding & Gases Today, the leading magazine for the gases and welding equipment industry.

The supply slowdown of calcium carbide had an immediate impact on acetylene plant operators. "Like the water that we combine with the calcium carbide to produce acetylene-we always had a feeling that it was going to be there," says Mike Gunnels, vice president of operations at Indiana Oxygen Company (Indianapolis, IN). "It turned our world upside-down, changing our priorities and schedules. We went into crisis management mode."

To handle the challenge of supply and avoid an acetylene shortage, many distributors looked to import calcium carbide from overseas. Along with questions about quality, importing product brought about other challenges. Jim Smith, vice president at DeLille Oxygen Company (Columbus, OH), says, "Handling imported carbide is tremendously different. Our regular supply comes in 5,000-pound flow bins. The product coming from South Africa is in 265-pound steel drums, so we had to open five drums for one load. This slowed down the manufacturing process."

To learn about the outlook for acetylene plant operators, read "What To Do When The Sky Is Falling" (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org/index.php/2011/07/what-to-do-when-the-sky-is-falling/) at Welding & Gases Today Online. For more information, contact Devin O'Toole, content editor at Welding & Gases Today at devin@weldingandgasestoday.org or 315-445-2347.

About GAWDA

Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry's voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America

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