Emissions of Reaction Products and Sound from Outdoor and Indoor Firework Displays

Andreas Dutschke,  Stefan Seeger, Lutz Kurth, Ulrich Pannea, and Christian Lohrer

Abstract: This work presents results of investigations towards the emission of chemical reaction products and sound pressure during an outdoor and an indoor firework display. Potentially harmful and toxic gases, and aerosols, were measured as well as sound pressures. Aerosols were measured with a Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA) as well as a Laser Particle Counter. The focus was on particles with diameters between 11 nm and 20 μm. A transportable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy detector registered the concentrations of emitted reaction gases, simultaneously. During the outdoor firework display, peak particle concentrations of >550 000 particles cm−3, equivalent to a mass concentration of approximately 3.95 mg m−3, were detected, revealing a concentration maximum at approximately 175 nm particle diameter. The time-averaged particle mass concentration did not exceed 1.58 mg m−3 over 15 minutes. Due to the large distances (110 m) to the firing points, no significant harmful or toxic gas concentrations were measured during the entire firework display.  In contrast, concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) rose after an indoor firework display in a large event hall. On two days, more than 23 000 particles cm−3 (which equates to a mass concentration of approximately 0.41 mg m−3) were detected when the hall ventilation was turned off, and more than 11 000 particles cm−3 (which equates to a mass concentration of approximately 1.18 mg m−3) when the hall ventilation was activated. Concentration maxima appeared at approximately 300 nm particle diameter. The time-averaged particle concentrations in this case did not exceed 0.56 mg m−3 (over 15 minutes).

Keywords: pyrotechnic articles, aerosols, combustion gase


Ref: JPyro, Issue 28, 2009, pp78-94
(J28_78)

© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd



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