S. G. Myatt ABSTRACT: The increased use of steel ISO transport containers for storing fireworks led the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to commission research to gain a better understanding of the behaviour of fireworks in such storage when exposed to an external fire. Subsequent incidents involving storage of fireworks in ISO containers demonstrated …
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Effect of Ultrasound on Single-Base Propellants for Pyrotechnic Purposes
Valentin Grozev, Radi Ganev, Ivan Glavchev ABSTRACT: Investigations were conducted on the effect of ultrasound on single-base propellants. Changes in the average viscosimetric molecular weight of nitrocellulose in the solutions of propellants in acetone and in a mixture of ethyl alcoholdiethyl ether were studied. It has been established that, for at least 60 minutes, the …
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Thermodynamics of Black Powder and Aerodynamics of Propelled Aerial Shells
John E. Mercer ABSTRACT: This paper describes the theoretical basis of a computer code that numerically models firework mortars. The code analyzes both the Black Powder propelling and flight segments of a shell. Equations for the gas dynamics of Black Powder combustion, leakage flow around the shell and aerodynamics of flight are included. Representations for commonly …
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Accidents and their Role in Aiding the Management of Health and Safety in Pyrotechnics Manufacture
Allen Webb ABSTRACT: The investigation and analysis of the causes and circumstances of accidents can be an invaluable tool in assessing the effectiveness of systems for the management of health and safety. This article considers and draws on the lessons learned from a number of accidents to suggest a general framework to aid the development …
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Test Burn of a Temporary Fireworks Stand
David Lynam ABSTRACT: In 1997, a burn test was performed on a temporary retail fireworks stand stocked with 900 pounds (400 kg) of a range of consumer fireworks. A maximum interior temperature of 1,400 °C was recorded inside the test stand and flashover occurred within approximately one minute of involvement of the fireworks. Ignited fireworks …
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Thermodynamic Modeling of High-Temperature Systems
Gleb V. Belov ABSTRACT: An outline of thermodynamic modeling of high-temperature systems is presented, including a historical introduction. There is no intention to provide a complete history of thermodynamic modeling, so neither vapor-liquid equilibria nor the thermodynamics of non-ideal solutions is discussed. This article reflects the author’s personal vision of the state of the art. …
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Evaluation of the Hazards Posed by High Energy Bangers Part 2. Damage to Hand Simulants
R. K. Wharton and A. E. Jeffcock ABSTRACT: This paper reports the development and construction of hand simulant models and their use to evaluate the extent of injury to persons holding, or being near to, high energy bangers when they are initiated. The test work suggests a risk of severe injury to the hand and …
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Review of: Proximate Special Effects Familiarization & Safety – J. Larry Mattingly, David A. Opperman, MD, Francis “Pinky” Pinkerton
Review of: Proximate Special Effects Familiarization & Safety J. Larry Mattingly, David A. Opperman, MD, Francis “Pinky” Pinkerton Review by Stephen Miller M.I.Exp.E., After many years of drought, the rain is falling for those praying for a basic technical reference book on stage pyrotechnics. The stage and special effects industry as a whole has been …
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A Curious Observation during the Burning of Bulk Whistle Composition
L. Weinman, C. Dayton, and K. Lemon Abstract: As is common in pyrotechnic manufacturing operations, occasionally excess or sub-standard compositions need to be destroyed. This is usually, but not always, done by burning the composition. Recently, in the course of burning several pounds of excess potassium perchlorate-potassium benzoate whistle mix, a curious noise was produced. …
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Feasibility Study on the Use of Nanoscale Thermites for Lead-Free Electric Matches
Darren L. Naud, Michael A. Hiskey, Steven F. Son, James R. Busse, and Ken Kosanke ABSTRACT: Electric matches are used in the pyrotechnic industry to electrically initiate devices remotely and with precise timing. Unfortunately, most current commercial electric matches contain lead compounds, which when burned produce lead reaction products that may cause environmental pollution and contamination …
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