bdbstone
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Mixture of KNO3 and sulfur doesn't burn..
Well, I don't know where to ask this, but why doesn't the mixture of KNO3 + sulfur alone(without charcoal) burn at all? Whats the difference, between
oxidizing one element and oidizing another..
My guess is its the temperature that doesn't get hot enough, so the KNO3 doesn't decompose at sucessfully oxidizing sulfur. So its only with this
higher temperature burn elements that KNO3 will work with...
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Bot0nist
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Potassium nitrate and sulfur burns quite nicely. Melt down the sulfur, and stir in the correct amount of nitrate. Mix well and let it solidify. It
will burn quite well and to completion, though not as fast as black powder.
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bdbstone
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Thanks, though isn't that a "little bit" dangerous? Bit looks like 'yellow powder'.
Well my questions was more of a thinking, about whats the chemical reaction behind. So I will have to ask now why KNO3+sulfur when
melted burns, but KNO3+sulfur when mixed "dry" doesn't  I don't have chemical
knowledge myself to answer this questions so I have to ask here..
[Edited on 31-1-2012 by bdbstone]
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Bot0nist
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Probably wasn't intimently mixed, either that or your proportions weren't right.
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Bert
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Sulfer is actually a fairly high temperature fuel, and burns just fine with potassium nitrate. You may not have sufficiently fine nitrate particle
size or adequate mixing-
Barium and Strontium nitrates do have a different decomposition depending on flame temperature, generally a metalic fuel will be needed to release all
the Oxygen potentially available from these.
[Edited on 31-1-2012 by Bert]
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Bot0nist
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Its not hazardous if you use a boiling water bath the melt the sulfur and keep the quantities sane you'll be fine.
[Edited on 1-2-2012 by Bot0nist]
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Adas
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Quote: Originally posted by bdbstone  | | My guess is its the temperature that doesn't get hot enough, so the KNO3 doesn't decompose at sucessfully oxidizing sulfur. So its only with this
higher temperature burn elements that KNO3 will work with... |
This is so true. Here is it: Just add few grains of sugar on the top of the mix, light it up, and then it will work nicely.
Rest In Pieces!
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AirCowPeaCock
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Where'd you get your KNO3? It should burn (atleast alittle) even if the ratios are a quite a bit off.
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Bot0nist
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Yeah, sulfur burns just fine in atmospheric oxygen. Add KNO3, in the right proportion and intimately mixed will burn great.
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Don't judge each day only by the harvest you reap, but also by the seeds you sow.
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quicksilver
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That's that I was going to say.  In Black Powder you have carbon as a fuel
and sulfur as both a fuel & reducing agent. It will lower to reduce heat stimulus but in most any MIXTURE (composition) the physical intimacy is
nearly always they key to performance. While goring or friction/ impact mixture (see Stamp Mills) intimate mix is potentially very dangerous, They are
mixed together (the charcoal and sulfur) till intimate (whether that's a melt and grind or a mill or straight grind). This is then mixed with a
solution of KNO3/ H2O (water is at a temp of 60C or better)and that is manually solution is then mixed with the fuel. What this can do it adhere the
fuel and oxidizer. To maintain an element of safety, one mixes your fuel(s) first and then adds the oxidizer as a solution: whereupon all are mixed as
a whetted composition. This is the "separation process prior to corning".
This is extremely important. And just on the subject of BP alone I have personally witnessed some of the fastest BP I could ever hope to witness (much
faster than factory) with minimal ash, enormous gas production is one of the shortest periods of time, that could approach theatrical Flash in speed!
Below is a summery of intimate mixing procedures: some very valuable points brought up.. intimate mixing brings the professional side of composition
production to light. Remember the whetting solution is not just for safety but for intimate mixing and for utility prior to corning as a very small
level of bonding agent may be used.
Deepest thanks for http://www.creagan.net in their professional presentation and excellent breakdown to BP speed, components and in-depth charcoal & fuels
dialog.
Attachment: blackpowder.pdf (66kB)
This file has been downloaded 699 times
[Edited on 31-1-2012 by quicksilver]
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Pulverulescent
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"For the Saltpeter is the Soule, the Sulphur the Life, and the Coales the Body of it, Forsooth"! ─ John Bate.
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Bot0nist
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Thanks for the file and link quicksilver!
I always wet my powder with distilled H<sub>2</sub>O after the components are mixed. I will have to try the KNO<sub>3</sub>
solution method.
I have made some crazy fast BP before as well. It was using lamp black and around 5 days in a ball mill. Can't remember the damn ratios, and it was
before I ever started taking notes. I used a 20% EtOH v/v in distilled water to moisten. Not sure if that had any beneficial affects at all though. It
burned with a hell of a WOOMP, and proved too much for my little rockets. About every other one ended up as a crappy fire cracker.
[Edited on 1-2-2012 by Bot0nist]
U.T.F.S.E. and learn the joys of autodidacticism!
Don't judge each day only by the harvest you reap, but also by the seeds you sow.
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AirCowPeaCock
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I don't see how you managed to get even the fastest BP to turn a small rocket into a firecracker..You used meal right? And pressed the BP into the
rocket with a strong clay plug holding then end in? Core burner or end burner? I like core burners personally, but there are advantages to the other
types. A little FFFa can be added, but if you have good meal there is certainly no need..maybe your IR penetrated..add a little graphite powder next
time, it solves any IR problems and catalyzes the reaction (or so I've heard..). Also I know many experienced pyros use binder when making their
rockets, but if you do make sure to add a stochiometric amount of oxidizer afterwords. I use KClO4 to balance the binder, but make sure not to add
any more sensitive oxidizers than KNO3 pre-milling. I use 4.2% dextrin, 4.2% Parlon and 8.3% KClO4 and wet with a 50-50 acetone water mix--its
probably a bit excessive, but it doesn't slow down the BP, and I get very hard grains. Gee, its been awhile since I've done any pyro, I miss it. /:
[Edited on 2-1-2012 by AirCowPeaCock]
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Pulverulescent
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| Quote: | | Gee, its been awhile since I've done any pyro, I miss it. |
Ditto!
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"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones"
A Einstein
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Bot0nist
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| Quote: Originally posted by AirCowPeaCock | I don't see how you managed to get even the fastest BP to turn a small rocket into a firecracker..You used meal right? And pressed the BP into the
rocket with a strong clay plug holding then end in? Core burner or end burner? I like core burners personally, but there are advantages to the other
types. A little FFFa can be added, but if you have good meal there is certainly no need..maybe your IR penetrated..add a little graphite powder next
time, it solves any IR problems and catalyzes the reaction (or so I've heard..). Also I know many experienced pyros use binder when making their
rockets, but if you do make sure to add a stochiometric amount of oxidizer afterwords. I use KClO4 to balance the binder, but make sure not to add
any more sensitive oxidizers than KNO3 pre-milling. I use 4.2% dextrin, 4.2% Parlon and 8.3% KClO4 and wet with a 50-50 acetone water mix--its
probably a bit excessive, but it doesn't slow down the BP, and I get very hard grains. Gee, its been awhile since I've done any pyro, I miss it. /:
[Edited on 2-1-2012 by AirCowPeaCock] |
They were cored. I blame poor construction and air-pockets over fast BP in the case of them bursting. It happens to me sometimes with BP and a lot
with chlorate/sugar fuel.
U.T.F.S.E. and learn the joys of autodidacticism!
Don't judge each day only by the harvest you reap, but also by the seeds you sow.
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AirCowPeaCock
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I've never tried chlorate sugar. But I was always a fan of R-candy, I nearly punched a hole through my house with that stuff! Some organization
somewhere is trying to send a rocket to space with the stuff..that was a few years ago, they might have done it by now!
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