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New fuel source for torches

#1

This is not a subject to start a flame war, pun intended given what
this is about.

My son found something that I think is interesting. In the EU
(Europe area) Ya know across the pond from Florida. They have a
project going to do a new fuel source for torches. It’s call
safeflame all one word.

Problem is it doesn’t have much info as what is the temp of the
flame and such. But I only read the blurbs on the main site, I didn’t
google it further. For those In the EU, do you know more? SAlso for
an old lady I would like to know the cost.

Maybe we can in a civil manner discuss this.

Aggie

#2 
They have a project going to do a new fuel source for torches.

It doesn’t really appear to be new (except maybe the marketing). It
seems to be a hydrogen/oxygen generator and torch similar to the
Hydroflux torch. Otto Frei has one -
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep80qy

Al Balmer

#3

It is a water torch, electrolysis. They claim a new method of
splitting the water.

“The Safeflame has the ability to split water into oxygen and
hydrogen to then recombine them outside of the torch’s mouth in
order to create fire. The byproduct of this procedure is only
water.”

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep80qz

Given the size flames they are producing they are using a lot of
power to split that much water. My guess is it is going to be very
expensive.

James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

#4

Comments made on our Facebook page:

Judi Stefek: Bondurant I have heard of these before too. However I
have never used one.

…

Jo Haemer: Wait a minute. Is that the Water torch that was invented
decades ago? It was supposed to be safe until one blew up in my
face. They forgot to put in a back flash valve.

…

Jeri Simpson: I’m right there with you Lee Anne, I have one that
hasn’t been used in 10 or 15 years since my husband (who knew how to
use it) passed away. I’d love to use it again since in recent moves
my regulator was stolen & I haven’t replaced it yet. But frankly I’m
afraid to try to set it up if I’m not positive what I’m doing or if
it even still works! .

…

James Binnion: To get the volume of gas they are showing in those
pictures of torches will require a very large power supply to split
that amount of water to get the needed for that size flame. This
will not be cheap. Also I am not sure how you can adjust the ratio
of O2 to H2 without having to either pressurize the gas to store it
or vent the gas that is not being used by the torch neither of which
is in line with their safety claims. But till I can see one first
hand it is hard to know how well it will work. They certainly have
an impressive amount of partners and government funding.

…

Jennifer Gow: The website is singularly uninformative. So called
"water torches" that burn oxygen and hydrogen produced through the
electrolysis of water have been around for some time. The only clue
I have about the distinctive features of this one is that it
separates the oxygen and hydrogen and allows flame adjustment from
reducing to neutral. I have looked into getting a water torch in the
past because in Australia the only way I can obtain compressed
oxygen is by renting a cylinder from one of the industrial gas
companies that are all in on the same racket at around $200 a year
not including gas. I use this with propane because at least with
propane I can buy and refill my own cylinders or use a swap and go
system. If I wished to use acetylene as well I would be up for $400
a year cylinder rental.

The problem with the water torches I investigated at over $2000 for
the cheapest I am still marginally better off succumbing to the
extortion of the industrial gas companies.

The other attraction of a water torch to me is that I can avoid
using fossil fuels because my studio is solar powered by the 2.5 Kw
system on our roof so my jewellery should get another modest
sustainability boost.

…

Lee Anne Messerschmidt: I have an Aqua Torch…actually 2 not sure
what to do with it or if it works… The Manuf. has no instructions
or manual… so I just have the torches with a lot of ??? If anyone
can help me with infor it would be greatly appreciated…PM is always
appreciated…

…

Jo Agopovich: I recall using a water torch years ago.

…

Joao von Horn: This technology is already old. we also call it brown
gas

#5

Aggie, This looks to be a larger version of the water torch, which
has been kicking around the jewelry world for a while. The hydroflux
is the brand I see most often. Scott

#6

Thanks for the consensus of opinions on this. If you have at home a
bright young adult, and often argue subjects with them (mine will
take the 180 degree opposite of me just to argue) You probably know
how frustrating it is when you tell the, give them the
and ask them to find more supporting Score one for those
of us old methane exhausts.

Just this evening he also argued another metals working point with
me.

That trains when their wheels do not catch and spin at high speeds
without moving can weld the wheels to the tracks. I told him that
would not happen given air temps and other factors to put into the
equation. So he pulled out this I phone and showed me a U Tfube video
of inertia welding. In a closed environment and t high speeds yes
that system did weld. It was enclosed. Then he proudly pulled up a
video of a tran track that had been heated by a spinning wheel
showing the rounded divot made into it. I sasked him where the weld
was. He not knowing he was being baited said, "It shows it right
there. I patiently reminded him welding was joining, not just melting
of metal. Halloween candy with his headphones on.

I too have played with and used a water torch in the past. I think
they are horrible. That was back in the mid 90’s

Aggie Owner of 8 torches of various sizes and gas sources.

#7

Hi Agnes, Teenagers they will argue black is white, on the train
thing as far as I know rails are steel and wheels are cast iron very
difficult to weld these two metals.

Donnie