The acetylene torch (or carbide lamp) is a means of portable lighting. It was conceived by the French Henri Moissan in 1892 and is still used by the speleologists. The source of light is the flame of combustion of the gas Acétylène, this one resulting from the reaction of the Eau on the Carbure of calcium; a residue, lime " éteinte" , which forms a gangue around carbide stones, is necessary to combustion.

The calcium carbide is industrially manufactured by fusion of a mixture of coke and Calcaire, crushed and gauged out of very hard stones of color gray-white. These stones are placed in one of the two compartments of the acetylene torch, the other compartment containing of the water which one regulates the flow on carbide to produce the adequate quantity of acetylene for a good combustion.

Reference

• Lamps acetylene and carbide lamps
• Lamps of mine and lamps of safety
• French acetylene torches