Department

Mining Engineering

Major

Mining Engineering

Research Advisor

Worsey, Paul Nicholas

Advisor's Department

Mining Engineering

Funding Source

Missouri S& T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program

Abstract

Past studies and research into the possibility of using Vulcanite 75 have shown that it appears not to be a suitable substitute of either black powder or Pyrodex, but in that research, confinement, an important variable of proximal fireworks, was omitted. Our research focuses on confinement, mass, and type of powder, which are three important variables to be taken into consideration. Powder is weighed, placed in cartridges, and confined. Then, the cartridges are contained in a regulated environment. Electric matches are used to initiate the cartridges and the smoke output of each cartridge is measured by a professional light meter. These results are analyzed to determine which powder emits the least amount of smoke on average.

Biography

Nathan Rouse is a Junior in Mining Engineering and is applying to begin a M. S. degree in Explosives Engineering. He is also an active member of several student organizations in the mining department, is the co-captain of the Missouri S&T mine rescue team and competed in the NSSGA student design competition. Nathan is a member of the Missouri S& T explosives research team along with Alex Warren.

Research Category

Engineering

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Document Type

Poster

Location

Havener Center, Upper Atrium/Hallway

Presentation Date

9 April 2008, 9:00 am - 11:45 am

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Apr 9th, 8:00 AM Apr 9th, 5:00 PM

The Effects of Powder Types and Applied Pressures on the Smoke Output of Proximal Fireworks

Havener Center, Upper Atrium/Hallway

Past studies and research into the possibility of using Vulcanite 75 have shown that it appears not to be a suitable substitute of either black powder or Pyrodex, but in that research, confinement, an important variable of proximal fireworks, was omitted. Our research focuses on confinement, mass, and type of powder, which are three important variables to be taken into consideration. Powder is weighed, placed in cartridges, and confined. Then, the cartridges are contained in a regulated environment. Electric matches are used to initiate the cartridges and the smoke output of each cartridge is measured by a professional light meter. These results are analyzed to determine which powder emits the least amount of smoke on average.