When firing by hand, the problems of steel mortars can easily be over-looked. However, even for relatively small electrically fired displays, steel mortars and the usual alternatives (paper and PVC mortars) have limitations that are difficult to cope with. Steel mortars are heavy; when several hundred may be needed for a show, their weight can …
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Author:Avril
Sizzling Colored Comets
The sizzling colored comets described in this article have brilliantly colored heads, have short white tails and produce a sound much like frying bacon. They are very simple modifications of standard potassium perchlorate color compositions, are inexpensive and are relatively easy to make. These sizzling colored comets are suitable for use as comet stars in …
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Electrical Firing of Musically Choreographed Aerial Fireworks Displays
1.0 Introduction: There are a number of reasons why one might be reluctant to consider abandoning traditional show firing methods in favor of performing electrically fired shows, especially those choreographed to a musical program. One reason is the perceived high cost of performing such shows. Other reasons might be a lack of detailed knowledge about …
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An Idea for Small Shows
One problem commonly faced by smaller display operators is the sponsor of an inexpensive show ($1000 to $5000) who wants a longer show than he has money for. The obvious solution, slowing down the firing, is usually a poor choice. Some slowing may be practical, but often the sponsor of these small shows wants about …
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The Physics, Chemistry and Perception of Colored Flames, Part 2
4.0 The Chemistry of Colored Flames 4.1 A Summary of General Chemistry for Colored Flame Production This paper is intended to benefit readers who do not enjoy a thorough understanding of chemistry. Thus, before dealing with more advanced topics, a discussion of some aspects of general chemistry may be of benefit. Any reader with an …
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Festival Ball Comets
Festival ball comets are inexpensive, easy to assemble and produce a nice effect. Before discussing their construction, let me acknowledge that, as far as I know, the basic idea for this firework originated with Bob Winokur. The device consists of a festival ball shell with comet composition coating the fuse end of the shell. Festival …
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Taming Triangle Diagrams
ABSTRACT: A “dialogue” is presented wherein the author demystifies the triangle diagram or trigonometrical graph and shows how it can be a means of discovering hidden relationships between the components of a pyrotechnic composition, finding optimum formulations for a pyrotechnic system, and for summarizing the results of pyrotechnic experiments. Ref: Selected Pyrotechnic Publication of K.L. …
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Detection of Underwater Blasting Using Electrical Noise
ABSTRACT: We conducted a small-scale experiment on soil simulating underwater blasting and studied the shape of waves as well as properties of electrical noises generated during blasting. From these noise waves, we wanted to detect any failure in initiation of the charge or blasting conditions, etc. It was observed that the main source of noise …
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Study on the Reaction Mechanism of Black Powder And Its Applications Ballistics of Firework Shells
ABSTRACT: Black Powder is said to be the oldest explosive. At present, it is one of the most important explosives. However, the burning reaction mechanism of materials in the mixture is still obscure. The purpose of this study is to clarify this mechanism and illustrate some applications of Black Powder. The burning reaction of Black …
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Some Techniques for Manufacturing Fireworks (1) Dark Delay Compositions, (2) The Use of Metal Powders
Introduction: In recent years I have studied the oxidation and reduction taking place between various substances in a mixture. I reported on some of these studies in a paper titled “A Concept of Negative Explosives” presented in 1986 at the Eleventh International Pyrotechnics Seminar[1] in Vail, Colorado, USA. In the present paper, I will be …
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