What you have described is a typical pipe bomb and that is why is might have exploded. Many years ago when I was a fledgling un-eductaed aspiring chemist I was quite interested in rocket and fuel and the like. I remember one particular "test" where we
used a paper towel roll tube and fashioned a nozzle out of clay. Upon ignition the clay nozzle was blown out and the fuel proceeded to burn at an accelerated rate and completely consumed in just seconds. Yes we did have face shields but were quite distant
from the "Rocket Motor"!!!! What did I learn? Don't fool with this stuff. We then proceeded to spend $ on Estes rockets and then enjoyed the hobby!!!!
My surprise here is why did this team not realize that they were Making a "Bomb" in the first place and as reported that this group was sanctioned by the school- there was an obvious lack of "understanding of the principles" and "supervision"??????
Mike
No details on the mixture that was used.
The "rocket sounds like a galvanized pipe,...maybe threaded at both ends with screw on caps.
small hole in one of those caps for the ignition of the " rocket fuel".
If the fuel is "loose", or hole is too small or gets plugged, then the rocket becomes very dangerous.
Our Elementary School "Show and Tell" classes, we used only Commercial Model rocket engines, and the class was protected by thick LEXAN Blast shield.
Never attempt making your own rocket fuel,....trace contamination has been known to speed things up a little bit.
--- This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
---
This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety.
For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
