Fireworks and Explosives - Research Proposal Example

Fireworks and Explosives Contents Functioning of Fireworks and Explosives 2 1 Fireworks 2 2 2 Explosives 2 2 2. Responsible Chemical Processfor making the bang 4 4 3. History of Explosives and Fireworks and improvisations 4 4. Ingredients of the Oklahoma City bomb 6 6 5. Bibliography 7 1. Functioning of Fireworks and Explosives 1.1 Fireworks As of today, utilization of the Explosives has become a prevalent and routine part of human lives. Today the explosives with an array of strength are used in diversified manners. It is crucial element in a various processes like “mining, civil engineering and military projects.” (Michael S. Russell) Generally, it is believed that Explosives and Fireworks are probably utilized for the armed forces applications however; they have also proven to be a silent partner in daily lives. While mining, Explosives initiate the process of the “bang” into fireworks, formulate matches rupture into flames and exile the walls of quarries to reveal important minerals. As per the advanced analysis in of fireworks it reveals that “potassium nitrate”, primarily the main chemical ingredient in gunpowder, is still an imperative element utilized in quite a lot of current explosives. (Michael S. Russell) 1.2 Explosives An “explosion” is a chain of chemical reactions induced by fumed energetically unstable explosive materials that generates a rapid and aggressive oxidation reaction resulted in production of huge mass of hot gases and heat. Due to the mass force of gas and heat it expands rapidly and forms a blast, further forming shock wave giving the blast its destructive power. (Gail Kay Haines) The “explosive train,” also termed as an initiation sequence or “firing train” is the series of charges that progress from moderately small levels of energy to instigate the absolute volatile material/main charge. There are two types of explosive trains Low and High explosive trains (Reilly) Explosive materials comprises of any one of a chemically unadulterated compound like “nitroglycerin” or a mixture of an oxidizer and a fuel such as “black powder, flash powder, sprengel explosives, ANFO, Panclastites” etc. For the understanding of explosive materials based on mixtures of fuel and oxidizers following equation can be useful: “N2 + O2 → 2NO - 43,200 calories (or 180 kJ) per mole of N2 “ In routine life the explosives of low density are used in which the following four materials are constituted: 1. “Gunpowder 2. The fulminates 3. Gun cotton, and 4. Nitroglycerine” Diverse explosives utilize unlike chemical reactions. The most primitive known explosive was gunpowder. Gunpowder or black powder is considered as a grand historical significance in chemistry. The principal application of gunpowder is as a “propellant.” Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists during the 9th century. (Appleton) The gunpowder was prepared by assimilating rudimentary sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate. The “Potassium nitrate, sulfur in addition with carbon” retort collectively to produce nitrogen & carbon dioxide gases along with potassium sulfide. Chemical equation for which is: “2 KNO3 + S + 3 C → K2S + N2 + 3 CO2” Resolutely, the intensifying gases i.e. nitrogen and carbon dioxide delivers the propelling action. The gunpowder is categorized under “sizes of G 7, G 20, G 40, and G 90.” Gunpowder has a propensity to create a lot of smoke, which usually diminishes the visibility of fireworks. Therefore, while using gunpowder in fireworks its proportions are modified to create less smoke and more flash. (Chase) 2. Responsible Chemical Process for making the bang Chemical reaction hazards are associated with thermal runaway. The chemical reaction starts when the heat generated by a reaction exceeds the heat which can be removed to the surroundings. (Syms) The surplus heat increases the temperature of the reaction mass, which causes the reaction rate to increase and in turn accelerates the rate of heat production. Thermal runaway occurs because, as the temperature rises, the rate of heat loss to the surroundings increases linearly with temperature, but the rate of reaction and so the rate of heat generation, increases exponentially. Therefore, thermal runaway can start slowly but then accelerate, until eventually it can lead to a loud sound of “bang.” (Reilly) A further problem is that the amount of heat produced increases in proportion to the volume of the chemical reaction mixture, whereas the cooling capacity varies in proportion to the surface area. This has critical implications for scale-up, where a small increase in volume may lead to inadequate cooling and loss of control. Experience indicates that this is not always fully appreciated. “Bang” or explosion arises when processes are scaled up and investigated uneventfully for years at a slightly reduced scale. When there is no thermal control, the exothermic reactions are intended to take place without significant heat loss. This causes the temperature to rise to the maximum available. (Gail Kay Haines) 3. History of Explosives and Fireworks and improvisations Fireworks were discovered in China around 2,000 years ago. The most prevailing prodigy is that fireworks were discovered via a mishap by a Chinese cook operating in a field kitchen while mixing “charcoal, sulphur and saltpeter” i.e. normal ingredients in Chinese kitchen those days. The fusion gets blazed and when compacted in a bamboo tube, the mixture blows up. (Michael S. Russell) Advanced analysis by experts revealed that explosive materials are chemicals or mixtures of chemicals which, when rightfully initiated molder with the rapid arrangement of hot gases. Techniques of initiation are possibly mechanical, provoked by heat or they may be caused by electrical or microwave stimulus. Only for almost 250 years, fire was appropriately deduced as a type of energy whereas the blazes are distinguished as “regions of luminous hot gas.” (Appleton) The Fireworks were utilized since tenth century; when the Chinese had started commemorate major proceedings by smoldering light explosives in their “fire lances.” Formerly, fireworks constitute a mixture of “saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.” During 40’s, potassium chlorate substituted saltpeter due to its better properties of burning with sparkling flames. As of Today, a range of chemicals are added to fireworks to endow with impressive bangs, astounding colors and additional special effects. Usually, a merchant “Marco Polo” is accredited with getting the Chinese gunpowder all the way to Europe in the 13th century. Concoctions were made containing all manner of substances including oils, honey and beeswax, but among the most significant, so far as future firework makers were concerned, were the ingredients sulfur and saltpeter. Unbeknown to the ancients, their brew of honey, sulfur and saltpeter (potassium nitrate) was special in that, on evaporation over heat, the contents would suddenly erupt into a will of flame. (Plimpton)The experimenters had produced the exact proportions by which the molten sulfur and what was left of the honey were acting as fuels that were subsequently oxidized by the oxygen from the potassium nitrate in what is now known as an “exothermic chemical reaction”, and a fairly vigorous one at that! In purified form, the chemical sulfur and saltpeter are used to this day in what is without doubt the most important tool of the firework makers, i.e. gunpowder. The firecrackers, equally then and now, are considered to comprise the power to fend off evil spirits and ghosts that are scared by the loud bangs and flashes of the firecrackers. It is believed that the utilization of firecrackers brings an optimistic approach. Currently, Firecrackers are utilized at the majority of events like” births, deaths and birthdays.” 4. Ingredients of the Oklahoma City bomb On April 19, 1995, the “Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building”, an office multistory building in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was bombed. The assault claimed over 167 lives and left more than 700 people injured. It was considered the second most terrorized attack since 9/11. One of the main elements used in the Oklahoma City Bombing was ammonium nitrate and it is available commercially as a fertilizer in the form of pellets, typically in 22.7 kg (50 1b) bags. Ammonium nitrate and fuel oil is a common explosive used in 95% of the commercial explosives work performed in the United States. It is relatively safe substances that is routinely transported and stored for agricultural use. Even when mixed with an oxidizer such as fuel oil to increase its sensitivity, ammonium nitrate and fuel oil is still a relatively stable substance, routinely transported to construction sites in heavy-duty trucks that resemble cement mixers. To make ammonium nitrate and fuel oil into a weapon, a booster of high-grade explosive such as pentolite is needed to initiate the detonation. (Eve E. Hinman) The details of how the weapon used in the Oklahoma City bombing was constructed are not known for certain. It is likely that the weapon was fabricated, Gorman continued, using a combination of boosters, detonators (blasting caps), detonation cord, fusing system, and plastic containers. One possible design consists of placing ground in 55 gallon plastic drum containers. It is possible that detonation cord was used to propagate the detonation from one drum to the next and to ensure effective detonation throughout the volume of the drum. (Eve E. Hinman) 5. Bibliography Appleton, John Howard. Chemistry - Developed by Facts and Principles Drawn Chiefly from the Non-Metals: Developed by Facts and Principles Drawn Chiefly from the Non-metals. READ BOOKS, 2007. Chase, Kenneth Warren. Firearms: A Global History to 1700. Cambridge University Press, 2003. Eve E. Hinman, David J. Hammond. Lessons from the Oklahoma City Bombing: Defensive Design Techniques. ASCE Publications, 1997. Gail Kay Haines, Michael Eagle. Explosives. Morrow, 1976. Michael S. Russell, Royal Society of Chemistry (Great Britain). The Chemistry of Fireworks. Royal Society of Chemistry, 2000. Plimpton, George. Fireworks: A History and Celebration. Doubleday, 1984. Reilly, Joseph. Explosives, Matches and Fireworks. Gurney and Jackson, 1938. Syms, Paul M. Previously Developed Land: Industrial Activities and Contamination. Blackwell Publishing, 2004. Read More