Fuel Selection Criterion:

The following are some common factors for consideration while selecting a preheat fuel :

• Time needed for preheating while starting cuts on square edges and rounded corners, and also while piercing holes for cut starts,
• Effect on cutting speeds for shape, straight line and bevel cutting,
• Influence of the above factors on work output,
• Cost and availability of the fuel in bulk, cylinder and pipeline volumes,
• Cost of the preheat oxygen needed to burn the fuel gas efficiently,
• Ability to utilize the fuel efficiently for other operations, such like heating, welding and brazing, if required, and
• Safety in handling and transporting the fuel gas containers.

For greatest performance and safety, the torches and tips must be designed for the specific fuel selected.