Answer: b. Propane is typically used as a fuel gas in oxyfuel cutting process.
Oxyfuel cutting is a thermal cutting process that uses a fuel gas and oxygen to generate a high-temperature flame to melt and sever metals. The process involves heating a metal to its ignition temperature by focusing a flame on it, and then introducing a stream of high-pressure oxygen to the heated area, which reacts with the metal and oxidizes it. The oxidized metal is then blown away by the force of the oxygen stream, resulting in a clean cut.
The fuel gas used in oxyfuel cutting is typically a hydrocarbon such as propane, acetylene, or natural gas. These gases are used as the fuel source for the process and are mixed with oxygen in the cutting torch to create a high-temperature flame. Propane is a common choice for fuel gas in oxyfuel cutting due to its high energy content, clean-burning properties, and ease of use.
Other gases, such as nitrogen and argon, are not typically used as fuel gases in oxyfuel cutting. Nitrogen is an inert gas that is often used as a shielding gas in welding applications to prevent oxidation of the weld, but it does not have the energy content or reactivity needed for oxyfuel cutting. Argon is another inert gas that is used in welding applications for shielding, but it is not typically used in oxyfuel cutting due to its low reactivity and inability to sustain a high-temperature flame.