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Abstract: An old model of pyrotechnic reactions is presented in such a way that modern pyrotechnists are able to create new formulations using the principles of chemical stoichiometry but without having to know the exact products of the reaction involved. According to the model, pyrotechnic reactions occur in two distinct steps. The oxidizers produce molecular oxygen, then the fuels consume it. How this oxygen (including, in some cases, oxygen from the atmosphere) is distributed among the components of the mixture leads to the coefficients on the reactant side of the corresponding chemical equation. And from them, the composition of the formulation can be calculated. Using the oxygen-exchange approach, one can add or replace ingredients in a given formulation and come up with a stoichiometrically equivalent composition.

Keywords: chemical formulating, chemical-oxidation, chemical-reduction, oxygen exchange

Abstract:The use of ballistic-missile-delivered artificial meteors is discussed as a means of generating large scale pyrotechnic displays. Possible delivery vehicles are suggested, and designs are presented for the artificial meteors, payloads, and deployment missions. Safety and cost issues are discussed.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost visible light spectrometer, consisting primarily of a video camcorder and an inexpensive diffraction grating, was assembled and found to be of use in work to improve colored pyrotechnic flames. This instrument is all that is needed to collect and store useful, qualitative flame color information. With this simple instrument, the nature of color agents and the sources of interfering chemical species can be determined.

If semi-quantitative data is needed, a video frame grabber and personal computer can be employed. These allow more accurate identification of wavelengths of spectral features (lines and bands). It also makes possible the determination of relative intensities of spectral features. If quantitative intensity data is needed, a suitable calibration source is necessary and calibration corrections must be applied to the intensity data.

In a brief study using the video spectrometer, it has become clear that much of the difficulty in achieving high quality green and blue color flames is often the result of impurities present in the raw chemicals. Specifically, the presence of sodium and calcium can act significantly to shift green flame colors toward yellow and blue flame colors toward white.

Abstract:The sensitiveness and thermal stability of stoichiometric sulfur/chlorate mixtures (approximately 30:70) have been investigated. The mixtures were found to be very sensitive to friction, with BAM limiting loads below 40 N. Some ignitions occurring at the lowest measurable level of 5 N result in limiting loads of < or = 5 N. When the mixtures were heated slowly in cardboard fireworks tubes, they gave ignition temperatures in the region of 115–160 °C depending on the source and treatment of the sulfur.

Abstract: An inexpensive, readily prepared and relatively insensitive powdered fuel suitable for the filling of small firework display rocket motors using a funnel and rammer technique is discussed.

Firework display rocket motors are typically cardboard or aluminium tubes filled with a gun-powder derivative. Consolidation is achieved by incremental filling and pressing or, as at Standard Fireworks, by a mechanically operated funnel and rammer system

.The objective was to provide a simple in-house method to prepare a free-flowing powdered fuel compatible with the available filling equipment. The raw materials are inexpensive and readily available.

The paper will discuss the following aspects: choice of binding agent for the powder, choice of raw materials and relative proportions, hazard data, and performance data.