Pollution Caused by Fireworks D. Gnauth White Review by: Monona Rossol In reference to the letter published in Issue 7, “Another Fog Study” by Monona Rossol, the data Ms. Rossol presented does not support her conclusion. The data indicates that something is happening during the performance to reduce the musicians’ lung function, but the data …
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Category:JPyro – Articles
The main category – things that are published in the Journal
Peak In-Mortar Aerial Shell
K. L. and B. J. Kosanke ABSTRACT: Internal mortar pressures were measured for a range of somewhat typical fireworks aerial shell firing conditions. These data were used to determine the peak shell accelerations produced during firing. Under the conditions investigated, peak aerial shell acceleration ranged from approximately 4 to 16 km/s2 (400 to 1600 times …
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Effect of Differing Charcoal Types Upon Handmade Lift Powder
Charles Wilson ABSTRACT: Experimental production of charcoal via the retort method is discussed. Charcoals were made from various substances; of special interest were woods belonging to the Salicaceae (willow) family. Lift powders were made using these charcoals and their performance compared using a device for testing powders under conditions similar to those used for propelling …
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Combustion of Ti/C Pyrolants
Michinori Takizuka, Toshio Onda, Takuo Kuwahara, and Naminosuke Kubota ABSTRACT: The thermochemical characteristics of pyrolants composed of titanium (Ti) and carbon (C) were studied in order to develop high energy release materials used for igniters and fireworks. Since the Ti and C reaction occurs only at temperatures above 1200 K, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was mixed with …
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Measurement of the Effectiveness of Various Mitigation Methods at Reducing the Projectile Hazards from Fragmenting Steel Firework Mortar Tubes
S. G. Myatt and M. R. Edwards ABSTRACT: Firework maroon shells were exploded inside mild steel spiral wound mortar tubes with various mitigation systems in place. It was found that the number of fragments was substantially reduced when the tube was prevented from expanding freely by sandbags or by burial of the tube in sand. …
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High-Nitrogen Fuels for Low-Smoke Pyrotechnics
David E. Chavez, Michael A. Hiskey and Darren L. Naud* ABSTRACT: It has been demonstrated that the highnitrogen compound, 3,6-dihydrazino-s-tetrazine (DHT), can be utilized as a pyrotechnic fuel requiring small amounts of metal salts for coloring the flame. In addition, DHT pyrotechnic formulations using non-metallic oxidants, specifically ammonium perchlorate and ammonium nitrate, produce little smoke …
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Six Methods for Estimating the Formation Enthalpy of Organic Compounds
Will Meyerriecks ABSTRACT: Finding published enthalpy of formation values for organic compounds is not always possible. Six methods are outlined for estimating this property, each utilizing different data that is generally readily available in one form or another. Additionally, a dozen different references for published thermodynamic data are provided. Keywords: enthalpy of formation, heat of …
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Burst Process of Spherical Aerial Shells
Y. Takishita, H. Shibamoto, T. Matsuzaki, K. Chida, F. Hosoya, and N. Kubota* ABSTRACT: The burst process of spherical fireworks shells has been examined experimentally and presented as a simplified physical model. The pressure in a shell was measured with a straintype pressure transducer, which was inserted into the center of the shell. After the …
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The Effect of Sample Containers on the Ignition Temperature of Sulfur/Chlorate Mixtures
D. Chapman and J. E. Fletcher ABSTRACT: In this communication we report the lowered thermal stability of sulfur/chlorate mixtures in contact with glass surfaces. Ignition temperatures as low as 100 °C were found in glass test tubes and are about 15 °C less than for the same mixture in a cardboard fireworks tube. Keywords: chlorate, …
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Shell Altitude vs. Mortar Length
Ron Dixon Introduction: During the mid 1980’s, I was the President and General Manager of San Diego Fireworks, Inc. At many of our Pyrotechnic Safety and Training Seminars, I was asked about the correlation between mortar length and altitude attained by aerial shells. Further, I have overheard many theories relating to a “vacuum” created within …
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