Name: Patricia
Sievert
Institution: Northern Illinois University
Address: Department of Physics
Northern
Illinois University
DeKalb,
IL 60115
E-mail: sievert@physics.niu.edu
Apparatus Title: Fire Breathing Can
Abstract
Non-dairy creamer is highly flammable
when the powder is a dust mixed with a generous supply of air, but not when it
is settled in a pile. This simple
apparatus allows one to demonstrate this dramatically. The “Fire Breathing Can” can be made to
“breathe” flames 2/3 of a meter high.
It evolved from an attempt to demonstrate a dust explosion, but students
find the sustained flame more intriguing.
Equipment and costs required to construct apparatus:
|
Item |
Source |
Part number |
Cost |
|
Empty coffee
can |
Friend who
drinks coffee |
NA |
zero |
|
2 X flat washer
2” x 5/8” |
Lowe’s |
63310 |
(0.18 ea) 0.36 |
|
3
meters of ¼” tubing |
Lowe’s |
22271 |
(0.18 per
foot) 1.80 |
|
¼
ID Barb X 3/8 MIP elbow |
Lowe’s |
5186 |
0.93 |
|
¼
ID barb X 3/8 FIP |
Lowe’s |
27974 |
1.39 |
|
Unique
Party Favor Balloon Pump |
Wal-Mart |
4902 |
2.84 |
|
Glass
votive candle holder |
Wal-Mart |
NA |
0.99 |
|
Candle |
Menard’s |
UPC 32458 00450 |
(2.99 per 500) 0.06 |
|
Creamer |
Wal-Mart |
NA |
(1.98 per
liter) 0.10 |
|
Wooden
match |
Wal-Mart |
NA |
0.01 |
Total Cost |
$8.48 |
||
Description:
The creamer is first poured into the
small glass candle holder and a lit match is held to it. The match can be extinguished easily by the
demonstrator by rolling it in the creamer.
The creamer melts and coats the match, extinguishing it. The creamer is poured from the candle holder
into the can, over the opening of the tube.
It is helpful to have additional creamer already in place over the tube
opening in the can. The candle holder
is then inverted and inserted into the can and a lit tea candle is placed on
it. A balloon pump is attached to the
opposite end of the vinyl tubing that is attached to the brass fittings. A puff of air is directed under the powder,
creating a dust that makes contact with the flame and ignites brilliantly.
NOTES:
Care should be taken to not pump the air too forcefully, as this
extinguishes the candle, which is not nearly as dramatic as the creation of the
flame. Other factors important in
providing consistent results are the height of the candle flame above the base
of the can, and the quality of the candle wick. The candle can generally be used only one time before the wick is
destroyed. With practice the flame can
be sustained for several seconds using well timed puffs of air from the balloon
pump. Stand back and remove flammables
from the vicinity of the can, as it gets very hot, very quickly!
Sketches:
