10 replies to this topic

[Zyzybalooba]

I have to do a science project for a science class. For the project, a friend and I decided to try and make a way I can pressurize a chamber using mixtures that create gas using household items. If I can actually do it, I am going to try and make a gun based of of using these mixtures. To test it, I am going to use 1' PVC and a ball valve used as a way to seal the it off and also a firing valve.

And suggestions on mixtures? We already have baking soda and vinegar, Alka Seltzer, and club soda.

[xedice]

What was that one explosive gas mixture? I think it was lye, vineagar, aluminum foil, or maybe water instead of vineagar. Look that up before you try it though, I've heard it was pretty potent. My friends used to make water bottle bombs out of it.

[TheHaze]

drano and aluminim foil, but it's not my fault when you kill yourself...

[INsecurity]

Ive got a few I will post the pros and cons aswell.

Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pros - Fast reaction, Easy to get and cheap, Not toxic, Only creates carbon dioxide.
Cons - Might not make enough pressure to fire off a dart quick and created alot of mess.


Cobalt-Chloride and Water in Aluminum foil.
Pros - Very fast reaction, Can create high pressures.
Cons - Created heat of up to 90°+ so yuo will need a metal tank to use it in, Not very cheap around $60 US for 500g, Toxic as far as i know


Hydrochloric Acid and Magnesium.
Pros, Fast reaction, creates hydrogen gas which can then be used for combustion.
Cons, Uses Acid so you need a rubber lined tank, creates Hydrogen which is explosive.

Dry Ice and Water
Pros, easy to get your hands on.
Cons, creates heaps of pressure so you will need a pressure relase valve, very cold so you will need to use metal or something becasue pvc is too brittle.

Thats all I can think of right now. Dont get yourself blown up.
and if you do I didnt tell you how to make whatever you did

--EDIT--
Make sure you talk to your science teacher about these mixtures first, Im not a science teacher just a pyro mainiac. I dont know the full effects of these mixtures.

Edited by INsecurity, 09 September 2004 - 07:35 PM.

[nerfspecialforces]

I'll put in that the dry ice thing is way illegal

Edited by nerfspecialforces, 10 September 2004 - 05:22 PM.

[okto]

carbonic acid and water - think soda
ammonia and bleach - chlorine gas, EXTREMELY dangerous

electrolysis of water gives you H and O gases, if you want a non-chemically induced rxn option.


NSF, what the hell did you say? dry ice is not illegal...

Edited by okto, 10 September 2004 - 02:28 PM.

[nerfspecialforces]

Yeah, putting dry ice in a sealed container is illegal.

[Murdock]

Well, it would always be fun to have a dart fired at you only to discover your skin melting off due to the back end of it being covered in hydrochorlic acid or something.

[Ice Nine]

Done, done, and doner.

I worked on that a while ago. Never got around to building the final design, though.

[Zyzybalooba]

I am just doing it with acids and baking soda. I won't use anything stronger than Hydrochloric acid. Even then, weak HCl would melt the dart.

[macman]

If you end up using something with a powerful, fast reaction, make sure you include an overpressure valve. Also, try to use something that doesn't foam.... damn, now i have to go look at my chemistry notes from last year....