Using acetone to absorb acetylene allows storage at safe pressure.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only at high altitude
• D. Only with nitrogen

Answer: (A)

Acetylene is unstable when kept as a high-pressure pure gas. Storing it dissolved in acetone inside a porous cylinder stabilizes the gas by keeping it in a liquid-solvent environment, which prevents the decomposition reactions that could lead to a dangerous build-up of pressure. The acetone absorbs and holds the acetylene, so the cylinder can be filled to the usual safe pressures used for welding supplies, and acetylene is released as the gas is drawn off. This is why using acetone to absorb acetylene makes safe storage practical.