The chemistry of fireworks PDF
Preview The chemistry of fireworks
The Chemistry of Fireworks 2nd Edition The Chemistry of Fireworks 2nd Edition Michael S. Russell ISBN: 978-0-85404-127-5 AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary rMichaelS.Russell,2009 Allrightsreserved Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of research for non-commercial purposes or for privatestudy,criticismorreview,aspermittedundertheCopyright,DesignsandPatents Act1988andtheCopyrightandRelatedRightsRegulations2003,thispublicationmaynot be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permissioninwritingofTheRoyalSocietyofChemistryorthecopyrightowner,orinthe case of reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright LicensingAgencyintheUK,orinaccordancewiththetermsofthelicencesissuedbythe appropriateReproductionRightsOrganizationoutsidetheUK. Enquiriesconcerningre- productionoutsidethetermsstatedhereshouldbesenttoTheRoyalSocietyofChemistry attheaddressprintedonthispage. PublishedbyTheRoyalSocietyofChemistry, ThomasGrahamHouse,SciencePark,MiltonRoad, CambridgeCB40WF,UK RegisteredCharityNumber207890 Forfurtherinformationseeourwebsiteatwww.rsc.org Preface This book does not claim to be a definitive text on fireworks and the fireworksindustry.Itisprimarilyanintroductiontothebasicscienceof fireworks with particular emphasis on the underlying chemistry and physics. Thehistoricalmaterial–stemmingfromseveralwellknownsources– isvaluableforitstechnicalcontent.Thesubjectmatterthenadvancesto a presentation on the characteristics of gunpowder, whose unique properties cause it to be the mainstay of the fireworks industry, even today. Succeeding chapters describe the manufacture and functioning of the most popular fireworks, including rockets, shells, fountains, roman candles,bangers,gerbsandwheelsinwhatishopedisastimulatingand easily assimilated way for those approaching the subject for the first time. Whilst the book is aimed at students with A-level qualifications, or equivalent, it is also intended to be useful background material and a source of reference for anybody engaged in a study of pyrotechnics as applied to fireworks. Chapters on fireworks safety and legislation complete the book and deserve special mention. None of this book could have appeared – at least as a commercial project – without the enthusiastic advice and very willing co-operation ofMrJohnStoneandthelateGordonCurtisofPains-WessexLtd.Iam also indebted to Bill Deeker of Pains Fireworks for permission to re- produce the black and white photographs, and to David Cox who gave advice on their selection and indeed took many of the pictures. TheChemistryofFireworks,2ndEdition ByMichaelS.Russell rMichaelS.Russell,2009 PublishedbytheRoyalSocietyofChemistry,www.rsc.org v vi Preface Probably the most comprehensive general text on fireworks is the book by the Rev. Ronald Lancaster and co-contributors (Fireworks – Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition) and I am grateful to him for dis- cussingmybookwithmeandforgivingpermissiontoquotesomeofhis formulae. Imustalsoacknowledgethemanyfriendsanddisplayoperatorswith whom I have enjoyed sharing my passion for fireworks over the years. These include Ray Harrison, Henry Dunlop, Campbell Wilson, Chris Wilson, Ken Norton, Dave Laurence, Andy Goodwin and Debbie, Jonathon Webb, Steve Cornall, Dale Sullivan, Roly Harrison, the late Wally Betts, Kevin Russell, Robert Stevens and my number two daughter, Jane. My grateful acknowledgements also go to Kay, Carol and Peter who worked wonders on the computer. Finally, I would like to thank my dear wife, Lyn, who sat through countless evenings of researching, writing and re-writing. But having a degree in chemistry and a birthday on the 5th Novem- ber, what else could a person choose to write about? Michael S. Russell Preface to Second Edition This Second Edition of The Chemistry of Fireworks has been compiled at the behest of The Royal Society of Chemistry. As with the First Edition, the aim has been to provide a text that will hopefully prove stimulating to those who are considering a career in scienceorto anybodyengagedinastudyofthescienceofpyrotechnics. Where possible, each chapter has been enlarged to include further subject matter and up-to-date material. Once again, special emphasis has been placed on the important subjects of Safety and Fireworks Legislation. I have enjoyed preparing this Second Edition and am especially indebted to Robert Pallant, who was volunteered as Information Scientist, and to David Cox of Pains Fireworks who provided valuable advice and archive material together with some of his splendid photo- graphs. Grateful thanks are also due to Mr. John Deeker who kindly agreed to check and give his seal of approval on the finished work. Family-wise, I must thank my daughters Jane and Claire who enjoy fireworks (at a distance) and who added a touch of glamour to Chapter 11; and my dear wife Lyn, who again tolerated months of writing and researching, even allowing me to convert a bedroom into an office! TheChemistryofFireworks,2ndEdition ByMichaelS.Russell rMichaelS.Russell,2009 PublishedbytheRoyalSocietyofChemistry,www.rsc.org vii Contents Glossary xiii Chapter 1 Historical Introduction Early Incendiary Devices 1 Development of Black Powder 2 Application of Black Powder to Fireworks 7 Further Uses of Black Powder 15 Chapter 2 The Characteristics of Black Powder The Solid State 18 Oxidation and Reduction 20 Electronegativity 21 Physical Chemistry 23 Influence of Pellet Density on Burning Time 24 Influence of Moisture on Burning Time 25 Thermal Decomposition 25 Thermal Ignition of Black Powder 27 Thermal Analysis of Black Powder 30 Analysis by TG 30 Analysis by DTA 31 Analysis by DSC 33 Stoichiometry 35 Volume of Evolved Gases 35 Heat of Reaction 36 Temperature of Reaction 37 Sulfurless Gunpowder 41 Moisture Resistant Gunpowder 42 TheChemistryofFireworks,2ndEdition ByMichaelS.Russell rMichaelS.Russell,2009 PublishedbytheRoyalSocietyofChemistry,www.rsc.org ix x Contents Chapter 3 Rockets Propellant 44 Internal Ballistics 44 Thrust and Specific Impulse 48 External Ballistics 50 Rocket Trajectory 50 Distance Travelled with Uniform Acceleration 51 Motion Under Gravity 51 The Trajectory in the Atmosphere 52 Rocket Design and Manufacture 52 Further Developments 56 Chapter 4 Mines and Shells Calibres 61 Construction of Shells 61 Functioning of Shells 66 Internal Ballistics 67 External Ballistics 70 Mortar Tubes 73 Energy Transfer Efficiency 74 Mines 78 Chapter 5 Fountains Compositions 79 Atomic Theory 81 Quantum Theory 82 Titanium Fountains 84 The Colour of Sparks 86 The Brightness of Sparks 88 Particle Combustion 89 Chapter 6 Sparklers Wire Sparklers 94 Tubed Sparklers 96 Chapter 7 Bangers Method of Construction 98 Volume of Evolved Gases 99 Theoretical Maximum Gas Pressure 100 Airblast and Sound 100
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