E. J. Clinger & Wesley D. Smith
ABSTRACT: An old model of pyrotechnic reactions is presented in such a way that modern pyrotechnists are able to create new formulations using the principles of chemical stoichiometry but without having to know the exact products of the reaction involved. According to the model, pyrotechnic reactions occur in two distinct steps. The oxidizers produce molecular oxygen, then the fuels consume it. How this oxygen (including, in some cases, oxygen from the atmosphere) is distributed among the components of the mixture leads to the coefficients on the reactant side of the corresponding chemical equation. And from them, the composition of the formulation can be calculated. Using the oxygen- exchange approach, one can add or replace ingredients in a given formulation and come up with a stoichiometrically equivalent composition.
Keywords: oxygen exchange, pyrotechnic formulating, oxidizer, fuel, chemistry
Ref: JPyro, Issue 7, 1998, pp15-25
(J7_1)
© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd
Dear all,
Is anyone else actually using this technique balancing the “oxygen balance” of the components? Some techniques are related to the one described in the article. But I’d be very curious to know if someone actually applies such a method (besides me).
Kind regards, Rutger Webb