Oxy-propane burning gear - oxygen useage

[HughG]

I have a quick query relating to work so not techincally "home mechanics", but hopefully someone can help. I don't have any experience with oxy-propane burning gear, I did a bit of oxy-acetylene on a welding course a couple of years ago but that is about it, and I think I remember that propane needs more oxygen to acetylene.

We are currently burning holes in the web of a 254UC RSJ which will get cast into a reinforced concrete wall and I don't have much faith in the burning man, he is ticketed and appears safe, but is using oxygen at an incredible rate, a bottle in approx. a 8hour working day, during which time he is burning approximately 50 holes with a circumference of 200mm in 12mm plate.

From the BOC website I guess we are getting W sized 85kg bottles. Should that be the full weight? And how long should a full bottle last when used with propane?

Thanks
Hugh

[mr.man]

That usage sounds about right for an eight hour day. The oxygen pressures should be 2-3 lbs.for the pre-heat then 30 lbs for the actual burning process.

[imagineifyeswill]

That sounds perfectly reasonable to me, you use terrific amounts of oxygen for burning.

[hidetheelephants]

imagineifyeswill said:

That sounds perfectly reasonable to me, you use terrific amounts of oxygen for burning.

What they said. Burning uses gigantic amounts of oxygen.