The speleology was born as a exploration science investigating the morphological configuration of the underground cavities . But to be able to do the subsoil topography a powerful luminous source was needed . In this way the practice of this science and Earth sport , needed since its beginnings of a lighting media Transportable and powerful as is the carbide lamp.
Operation of the carbide lamp
The carbide lamp is an ingenious device that works by gas lighting . It is also known as acetylene gas lamp.
As the name implies, the carbide lamp generates its light source thanks to acetylene gas, which is obtained by a chemical reaction produced by combining calcium carbide (cac2) and water. /Strong>
After its discovery, its great effectiveness triggers the production of this type of lamps in the United States and Europe under different prototypes but all indicate the same operating system.
All carbide lamps have a container to store water at the top, measuring and modifying its drip by means of a regulatory or injector key. on which water drops fall and where acetylene gas is created. From this deposit, a duct connects with the burner nozzle which is located outside the lamp. It is in this part that the shiny flame .
The llama quality The flame shape also depends on the injector but In this sense it depends rather on the form of its drilling . According to the different models, butterfly llamas can be obtained , round flames, double flames, etc ...
lamp history with carbide
Before having discovered this type of lighting in the 1900 year, mining and all types of subsoil exploration was limited by the use of candles and oil lamps. These produced a very low light source and were little practical for this type of use.
Many miners were affected by the disease of the mining of the miner which was a infection of the eyes for being exposed too much time to a Weak lighting.
Cuevas Exploretors scientists were particularly to register size and underground reliefs with low light sources.
For the great improvement of these workers and for the extension of the discoveries of scientists and athletes, the carbide lamps revolutionized the visibility of these dark places. The carbide lamp turned into the device for lighting autonomous in caves , offering great luminous power to a very low cost and becoming in the main lighting for speleologists .
carbide lamps in caleology
Due to its success and practicality , we will observe which are the interesting points for the use of acetylene gas lamps:
- lighting: an acetylene gas lamp illuminates approximately 20 times more than a candle. Its luminous source is characterized as a warm and uniform light .
- combat hypothermia: for being a bright source of exothermic chemical reaction (water-carb) its ignition emanates a certain temperature . This makes it a potential heat source in cases of prolonged exploration .
- resistant: its robust steel clothing makes it extremely resistant and adapted to cavities exploration or other type of rude use. Indeed its structure is very simple . Of the same way its repair is easy and can be developed with basic tools.
- Economic : needing only calcium and water carbide as components, it presents a low cost to function.
- autonomous: given its operating ingredients, this lighting source can be used for days while having water and calcium carbide.
Nowadays, this type of lamps under modern models and more and more adapted to the sport of speleology .
Modifying its construction based on new materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, polyethylene and others, acetylene gas lamps have improved a lot .
The evolutions of these lamps have renewed positive way the drip regulation system with atmospheric models, self -confidence or injection by rubber pump, and also the Safety system when controlling excesses of pressure by means of more adapted valves.
Definitely, this type of lamps remains a current option and excellent alternative to electricity and batteries for lighting in caves and all kinds of underground graves.
