Method and system for optimizing acetylene delivery

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and system for increasing the utilization of the supply of acetylene from two acetylene sources. The flow is provided at a substantially constant delivery pressure to a point of use, such as a customer point of use. A portable apparatus is configured to operably connect to each of the two acetylene sources simultaneously and during operation automatically provide flow from one of the acetylene sources through various valving and piping assembled onto the portable apparatus followed by supply to a customer point of use.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for remotely monitoring an acetylene source which attains a change in status to a remote unit, comprising:
 providing a controller configured to monitor process variable information of a first acetylene source and a second acetylene source, said process variable information selected from the group consisting of valve positon status, initial source pressure, source pressure, flow rate, manifold pressure, pipeline pressure at the point of use, and temperature;   said controller detecting when the first acetylene source has undergone the change in status between a minimum pressure state, a permanent or temporary depleted state and an online state; and   transmitting in response to said change in the status an alert notification to a remote unit over a cellular network or cyber secure internet link.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining said first acetylene source to have attained a change in the status to the permanently depleted state, said permanently depleted state defined as the first acetylene source having a measured pressure that is reduced to a final pressure;   transmitting in response to said permanently depleted state the alert notification corresponding to said permanently depleted state to a remote unit over a cellular network or cyber secure internet link;   replacing the first acetylene source with a second acetylene source;   activating said second acetylene source; and   supplying acetylene from said second acetylene source to a portable apparatus that is operably connected with said first acetylene source and said second acetylene source.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising
 transmitting a second alert notification corresponding to said second acetylene source in an online status.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining the pressure in the first acetylene source to decrease by no more than about 80% of an initial source pressure of the first acetylene source so as to attain a temporary deplete state;   designating the first acetylene source to a standby mode;   transmitting in response to said standby mode the alert notification corresponding to said standby mode to a remote unit over a cellular network or cyber secure internet link; and   switching from the first acetylene source to the second acetylene source to resume the supply of acetylene.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 monitoring the source pressure of the first acetylene source during the standby mode;   switching the supply of acetylene from the second acetylene source to the first acetylene source when the pressure in the first trailer has increased to at least a set point pressure that greater than a delivery pressure; and   resuming the supply of acetylene from the first acetylene source;   updating the alert notification to correspond to the first acetylene source having an online status and the secondary acetylene source having an offline status; and   transmitting said updated alerted notification to the remote unit.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said remote unit is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, pager or computer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first acetylene source remains in standby mode for 1-75 hours. 
     
     
         15 . A process for optimizing acetylene supply to a point of use, comprising the steps of:
 directing a flow of acetylene from a first acetylene source at a predetermined delivery pressure, said first acetylene source characterized by a first initial source pressure;   switching to the second acetylene source when a pressure of the first acetylene source has decreased by no greater than 80% of the first initial source pressure;   directing flow from the second acetylene source;   designating the first acetylene source in standby mode and allowing the pressure of the first acetylene source to increase to greater than 20% of the first initial source pressure; and   diverting supply of acetylene to the first acetylene source when the pressure of the first acetylene source increases to greater than  20 % of the first initial source pressure.   
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 eliminating, minimizing or reducing the amount of solvent that is removed from the acetylene that is withdrawn from either the first acetylene source or the second acetylene source.   
     
     
         17 - 25 . (canceled)