When you light compressed air on fire...

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:13 am

If you spray a can of compressed air into something(like a shotglass or a pop can) and then light it on fire, it makes this horrible gas. Sorta smells like chlorine.

What is it?
Avoid breathing it at all costs, your nostrils will feel like they're bleeding.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:20 am

IT BURNS it burns oh, what a world

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:32 pm

Why did you light compressed air on fire?

Arent a lot of them just compressed CO2?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:05 pm

Agh! That's probably phosgene gas!

Most "compressed air" cans are actually tetrafluoroethane. That is, R-134a. When R-134a is exposed to a flame it burns into, among other bad things, phosgene, which is really bad for you to breathe or even touch.

Don't do it!

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:39 pm

Yeah, real compressed air is just that - compressed air. You can use it to put out small fires by blasting it.

Steve

scuzzy · Post by **scuzzy** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:27 am

be VERY careful not to ignite R134a gas; phosgene is a common and large byproduct of the burnoff. Unless you want to experience effects similar to that of mustard gas, you'd be best off using the stuff to dust your keyboard and nothing more.

Phosgene Oxime (CX), is a blister agent that operates similarly to the various types of mustard gas. It is a white crystalline powder which melts between 39 and 40° C and boils at 129° C. It has a high vapor pressure and has a highly irritating and unpleasant odor. It is, however, chemically unstable and decomposes quickly at high temperatures.

Phosgene affects the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It causes corneal lesions and eventually blindness, and when inhaled, causes pulmonary edema. It is highly destructive to human skin, causing irritation that is said to be highly similar to that of stinging nettles, but far worse. Even a few milligrams applied to the skin cause irritation, intense pain, and eventually a necrotizing wound. Few chemical compounds are known to be as destructive to human tissue.
1. Has the oder of newly mown hay and becomes a gas at 47 degrees F. It damages primarily the lungs. It must be inhaled to cause this damage.

2. At high concentrations, the chlorine part of the molecule irritates the eyes, nose, and upper airways. It may cause fatal layngospasm.

3. The real damage is done by the carbon, double bond oxygen group (carbonyl group) of the phosgene molecule. Causes severe, although not immediately apparent lung damage.

4. Phosgene is a common industrial chemical. Formally used as a chemical warfare agent. After phosgene is inhaled, the carbonyl group combines with the components of the membrane dividing the alveolus from the capillary. Fluid leaks from the blood into the alveolar septum, and then to the alveoli themselves.

5. Dyspnea at exertion worsens to dyspnea at rest. This is accompanied by a productive cough, producing clear, frothy sputum. The fluid loss after severe exposure can be as much as 1 - 2 liters per hour.

There are two major components to the physical effects of phosgene exposure leading to hypotension and hypovolemia.

a. Hypoxia caused by the fluid filled alveo.
b. Fluid loss.

Enjoy.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:06 pm

Mmm mustard gas and hotdogs ...

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:53 pm

wow. well I hope I'll be alright. All it took was one wiff, and I was outa there.

dzx · Post by **dzx** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:35 pm

yeh, in chemistry, your never supposed to smell anything directly, you just use your hand to wave a tiny bit in front of your nose.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:57 am

dzx wrote:yeh, in chemistry, your never supposed to smell anything directly, you just use your hand to wave a tiny bit in front of your nose.

But who actually follows that rule except Chemists and Chem teachers?

rallysam · Post by **rallysam** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:28 pm

I think there's some confusion in this thread about the difference between compressed air "as in a shop compressor", and compressed air "in a can". I remember settling a bet by reading the side of the can, and it turned out it was some crazy chemical like what VRG mentioned.

JasonGrahn · Post by **JasonGrahn** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:50 pm

Laurel's gunna die.

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:42 pm

lol, art and I have both been a tad stuffy since that night. Hopefully it's just coincidence

JasonGrahn · Post by **JasonGrahn** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:43 pm

Laurel AND Art are gunna die.

Hey, Art; can I have your boombox?

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:31 pm

Fuck the boombox, I call dibs on the LGT!

schspeedster · Post by **schspeedster** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:08 pm

Was cleaning a laser printer at work with a compressed gas duster spray (maybe called Blow-Off?) which was "environmentally safe". Used a vacuum cleaner next to the nozzle blowing to pick up the dust...

BOOOOMMM!!!!

The explosion blew the cover off the vacuum. No damage just scary. Propane or something was substituted for the CFCs.

magicmike · Post by **magicmike** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:25 pm

who knew playing with um.....air.... would be so much fun

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When you light compressed air on fire...

When you light compressed air on fire...