How did I manage to not kill myself? (utter stupidity)
Discussion
Last night, when my wife was putting all the poultry away I went to light the burning bin (essentially a 4 ft tall oil barrel with drilled holes) I tried lighting it by a piece of paper, which didn't work, so I grabbed the petrol jerry can to douse the contents. Usually I put petrol in a ceramic plant pot, and throw it on, but for whatever hairbrained reason I chucked it straight on from the (plastic) jerry can. This is when it goes wrong. The petrol finds the 2mm of flame left alive, and ignites. The jerry can is suddenly alight, as is my hand, and my jeans. After putting myself out and having thrown the jerry can away from me I grab a watering can and spend what feels like a lifetime putting out the flames. Eventually I succeed, and it's placed a safe distance away to smolder.
So, the question is, how come 5 litres of the most flammable substance known to man didn't blow up, taking everything in a 20 metre radius sky high? I'm still genuinely baffled.
If I remember I'll post a pic of the green, now 50% smoke coloured, receptacle when I go over the allotment in a bit.
So, the question is, how come 5 litres of the most flammable substance known to man didn't blow up, taking everything in a 20 metre radius sky high? I'm still genuinely baffled.
If I remember I'll post a pic of the green, now 50% smoke coloured, receptacle when I go over the allotment in a bit.
In school we carried out an experiment ( on a regular basis because it was fun)
An empty tin ( catering pack size instant coffee)
A hole in top and bottom, fill with gas, light top. Air was drawn into the bottom, when air/ gas in tin reached the critical mixture it exploded.
Good fun, used to finish double chemistry that way when possible.
An empty tin ( catering pack size instant coffee)
A hole in top and bottom, fill with gas, light top. Air was drawn into the bottom, when air/ gas in tin reached the critical mixture it exploded.
Good fun, used to finish double chemistry that way when possible.
PositronicRay said:
In school we carried out an experiment ( on a regular basis because it was fun)
An empty tin ( catering pack size instant coffee)
A hole in top and bottom, fill with gas, light top. Air was drawn into the bottom, when air/ gas in tin reached the critical mixture it exploded.
Good fun, used to finish double chemistry that way when possible.
In a similar vein I occasionally chucked a spent deodorant can on to the fire, to sAn empty tin ( catering pack size instant coffee)
A hole in top and bottom, fill with gas, light top. Air was drawn into the bottom, when air/ gas in tin reached the critical mixture it exploded.
Good fun, used to finish double chemistry that way when possible.
t Sarah up. She pointed out that it actually st the birds up even more, so I'll pass trying out your trick, however fun it sounds. Plus we've lost one Cockeral to a likely heart attack this week, I think another one meeting his maker may sour the mood somewhat! I made a wood burner from an old gas cylinder a few years back. It was a fantastic thing for burning and sitting round in the garden. One day I was impatient lighting it and decided to throw acetone on it. The smell of burnt hair lingered for days 
Fireworks - couple of years back during our annual street bonfire night I was setting off the final big rockets. Lit the rocket retreated and listened to the whoosh and looked up. 'where is it?' BOOM! The rocket had got stuck and obliterated half the garden, smashing my shed windows.
Couple of weeks back I had to repair the microwave by replacing the fan. The part I ordered was not quite the same as the one that had broken so I had to adapt the wiring. Once done I tested it with the cover off and the fan loose fitted to make sure it worked. Proud of my success I went to put it together properly, but forgot to unplug. Put my hand straight on a live terminal. That stung.
I shouldn't be allowed near things.
Fireworks - couple of years back during our annual street bonfire night I was setting off the final big rockets. Lit the rocket retreated and listened to the whoosh and looked up. 'where is it?' BOOM! The rocket had got stuck and obliterated half the garden, smashing my shed windows.
Couple of weeks back I had to repair the microwave by replacing the fan. The part I ordered was not quite the same as the one that had broken so I had to adapt the wiring. Once done I tested it with the cover off and the fan loose fitted to make sure it worked. Proud of my success I went to put it together properly, but forgot to unplug. Put my hand straight on a live terminal. That stung.
I shouldn't be allowed near things.
Petrol is unstable & evaporates, that's why it must be kept in an airtight container. If you can smell the vapours you are standing in its cloud & a spark can make that cloud (mixture of petrol vapours & oxygen) ignite. It's the mixture of vapours & oxygen that's igniting not the liquid.
The flashpoint (the lowest temp the vapours can be ignited at) is about -45 degrees C.
The flashpoint (the lowest temp the vapours can be ignited at) is about -45 degrees C.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 9th April 09:47
vonhosen said:
Petrol is unstable & evaporates, that's why it must be kept in an airtight container. If you can smell the vapours you are standing in its cloud & a spark can make that cloud (mixture of petrol vapours & oxygen) ignite. It's the mixture of vapours & oxygen that's igniting not the liquid.
The flashpoint (the lowest temp the vapours can be ignited at) is -45 degrees C.
Interesting stuff. The flashpoint (the lowest temp the vapours can be ignited at) is -45 degrees C.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 9th April 09:46
Thanks others for the laughs, and for making me realise I'm not the only one who should have to use plastic knives.
Fermit said:
vonhosen said:
Petrol is unstable & evaporates, that's why it must be kept in an airtight container. If you can smell the vapours you are standing in its cloud & a spark can make that cloud (mixture of petrol vapours & oxygen) ignite. It's the mixture of vapours & oxygen that's igniting not the liquid.
The flashpoint (the lowest temp the vapours can be ignited at) is -45 degrees C.
Interesting stuff. The flashpoint (the lowest temp the vapours can be ignited at) is -45 degrees C.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 9th April 09:46
Thanks others for the laughs, and for making me realise I'm not the only one who should have to use plastic knives.
A mate had been clearing shrubbery and wanted to burn it...bonfire style.
He poured a 5gal jerrycan of petrol on it, walked back with a burning rag on a stick ( think old style torch). Leaned over to ignite the bonfire instead of throwing the torch from several yards away. BIG WHOOMPH! The slight delay had allowed a big vapour cloud to form.
He toppled away into a ditch. Ended up in A&E. Six weeks later he looked like he had had a cosmetic face peel, reshaped eyebrows and arm still bandaged and still in some pain. He has a history of ill thought actions.
His son video’d it. It was spectacular but not quite like the shed burning one! If I can find it I’ll post it.
He poured a 5gal jerrycan of petrol on it, walked back with a burning rag on a stick ( think old style torch). Leaned over to ignite the bonfire instead of throwing the torch from several yards away. BIG WHOOMPH! The slight delay had allowed a big vapour cloud to form.
He toppled away into a ditch. Ended up in A&E. Six weeks later he looked like he had had a cosmetic face peel, reshaped eyebrows and arm still bandaged and still in some pain. He has a history of ill thought actions.
His son video’d it. It was spectacular but not quite like the shed burning one! If I can find it I’ll post it.
sospan said:
A mate had been clearing shrubbery and wanted to burn it...bonfire style.
He poured a 5gal jerrycan of petrol on it, walked back with a burning rag on a stick ( think old style torch). Leaned over to ignite the bonfire instead of throwing the torch from several yards away. BIG WHOOMPH! The slight delay had allowed a big vapour cloud to form.
He toppled away into a ditch. Ended up in A&E. Six weeks later he looked like he had had a cosmetic face peel, reshaped eyebrows and arm still bandaged and still in some pain. He has a history of ill thought actions.
His son video’d it. It was spectacular but not quite like the shed burning one! If I can find it I’ll post it.
Jesus! And I have read the 'how to get rid of a shed' (or whatever it's called) and it's hilarious.He poured a 5gal jerrycan of petrol on it, walked back with a burning rag on a stick ( think old style torch). Leaned over to ignite the bonfire instead of throwing the torch from several yards away. BIG WHOOMPH! The slight delay had allowed a big vapour cloud to form.
He toppled away into a ditch. Ended up in A&E. Six weeks later he looked like he had had a cosmetic face peel, reshaped eyebrows and arm still bandaged and still in some pain. He has a history of ill thought actions.
His son video’d it. It was spectacular but not quite like the shed burning one! If I can find it I’ll post it.
Just back for a breather from allotment work. A photo of the attempted murderers.
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