Abstract: The use of a settling aid in the reactor during acetylene production results in the by-product lime slurry being easier to handle and allows the acetylene producers to use different sources of calcium carbide as well as the calcium carbide manufacturers to use different sources of raw materials to make calcium carbide.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of acetylene and hydrated lime from the reaction of calcium carbide and an excess of water is disclosed. A primary reactor for the initial reaction of the calcium carbide and water is disposed concentrically within a secondary reactor. Hydrated lime and unreacted calcium carbide flow directly from the primary reactor to the secondary reactor, where the carbide lime settles from the water and is removed.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: A multi-stage generator for generating dry acetylene gas from calcium carbide while leaving a residue of dry lime has a generator housing including a plurality of vertically spaced shelves, each shelf and its associated components providing a stage of the generator. Each shelf has an exit slot and a water spray zone circumferentially spaced therefrom. A deposit zone is formed intermediate the water spray zone and the exit slot. Stirring arms are rotatably mounted to cooperate with each shelf to sweep the calcium carbide mixture received in the deposit zone into the wetting zone and thereafter into the exit slot. The exit slot of each shelf is offset angularly relative to the exit slot of the preceeding shelf so that the calcium carbide mixture is swept about each shelf through a substantial angle prior to exiting to the next shelf.