Difference between revisions of "Pyrotechnics 101"

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'''Chemistry'''
 
'''Chemistry'''
:Oxidizer
+
:Oxidizer (species being reduced)
:Reducer (Fuel)
+
::Potassium nitrate (2 NO3- --> N2 + 3 O2)
 +
::Potassium Perchlorate
 +
:Reducer (Fuel; species being oxidized)
 +
::Magnesium powder (Mg--> Mg2+)
 +
::Aluminum powder (Al --> Al3+)
 +
::Mag/Al alloy (magnalium; raises flame temp)
 +
::Sulfur (S --> SO2)
 +
::Charcoal/carbon (C --> CO2)
 
:Effect/Color
 
:Effect/Color
 +
::Strontium nitrate
 +
::Calcium nitrate/carbonate (orange)
 +
::Copper oxide (blue)
 +
::Strontium chloride (red)
 +
::Sodium silicate (orange/yellow)
 +
::Barium acetate/carbonate (green)
 +
::course magnesium (white sparks)
 +
 +
Burning mixture (potassium perchlorate+ red gum)
 +
Ammonium nitrate - explosive (nitrate is oxidizer and ammonium hydrogens are a reducer)
 +
 +
Heat output
 +
 +
Burning rate
 +
 +
Hygroscopic compounds best
 +
 +
Aerial Shells
 +
:Shell (spherical)
 +
:lift charge (black powder)
 +
:Timing/delay fuse with "fuse pipe")
 +
:bursting charge
 +
:effect (pellets)
 +
 +
Mortar tube
 +
fuse
  
 
===Lab Activities===
 
===Lab Activities===

Revision as of 16:16, 20 May 2019

Welcome to the Pyrotechnics 101

This is a planning page for a future course to be taught at Monmouth College. The course will be taught by a chemistry professor and the campus' lead electrician.

The rules that regulate the fireworks in the state of Illinois can be found here

Fireworks are classified as a hazardous material (HAZMAT) class 1.3. The United Nations classification system can be found here; the classification by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) can be found here. Consumer grade fireworks (where allowed are classified as 1.4.

Possible Textbooks

The Chemistry of Fireworks: 2nd Ed.
A PDF of this text can be found here
An online version of the first edition can be found here

Fireworks Company

Both instructors are employees of J&M Displays

Topics

Chemistry

Oxidizer (species being reduced)
Potassium nitrate (2 NO3- --> N2 + 3 O2)
Potassium Perchlorate
Reducer (Fuel; species being oxidized)
Magnesium powder (Mg--> Mg2+)
Aluminum powder (Al --> Al3+)
Mag/Al alloy (magnalium; raises flame temp)
Sulfur (S --> SO2)
Charcoal/carbon (C --> CO2)
Effect/Color
Strontium nitrate
Calcium nitrate/carbonate (orange)
Copper oxide (blue)
Strontium chloride (red)
Sodium silicate (orange/yellow)
Barium acetate/carbonate (green)
course magnesium (white sparks)

Burning mixture (potassium perchlorate+ red gum) Ammonium nitrate - explosive (nitrate is oxidizer and ammonium hydrogens are a reducer)

Heat output

Burning rate

Hygroscopic compounds best

Aerial Shells

Shell (spherical)
lift charge (black powder)
Timing/delay fuse with "fuse pipe")
bursting charge
effect (pellets)

Mortar tube fuse

Lab Activities

Week 1

ACS: The Chemistry of Fireworks, John A. Conkling, Ph.D. (6 min)

ACS: Fireworks: The Chemistry in the Color (2 min)

Week 2

Shell Design

How Fireworks Work: Ball Shells (4 mins)

TOP 10 AMAZING HOMEMADE FIREWORKS #1 (9 mins)

TOP 10 AMAZING HOMEMADE FIREWORKS #2 (10 mins)

TOP 10 AMAZING HOMEMADE FIREWORKS #3 (11 min)

Week 3

Shell Construction

7 Inch Double Petal Ballshell Rocket Heading, Experimental. See note below the video (52 mins)

Week 4

Rockets

Fireworks Rocket Master 2016 (22 mins)

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8