lokys Posted August 28, 2009 Posted August 28, 2009 If I would store my all chemicals oxidisers, fuels etc. in a place where in winter coditions might be humid and quite cold (minus temp), would this effect any of they're proprtys?
Ralph Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 so chemicals are hygroscopic and will absorb water from the air some chemicals will clump for example if you leave your potassium nitrate out it will form one large lump things like sodium benzoate will do the same but in most cass you can just break everything up and it will be all good again
NightHawkInLight Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 I had the same question about a month ago. In the near 100% humidity of Michigan after one month of external storage, my nitrate and all my paper products are damp. Not a severe problem during summertime when the sun could dry everything quickly, but it has been a pain when I just want to make a composition that did not require wetting for stars. It is going to make winter working very difficult. Had I known the problem would be so severe I would have kept my nitrate and paper products indoors and just taken as much out as I needed for that days work. I never did take out my ammonium perchlorate, something I am very glad about. Now I am considering drying 50 lbs of my nitrate on the next warm day and taking that at least inside. I don't see another option if I want to use it for anything at all as the weather gets colder. So my advice is this: Keep your oxidizers indoors. Other than that, go for it. Though, I also never did take out my metals. I use them rarely enough that I did not want to risk it. I have no advice there.
mike_au Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 Not a severe problem during summertime when the sun could dry everything quickly My KNO3 was starting to get a bit damp, I put it in a sealed container with a heap of calcium chloride. It is slow going but even in cold weather is gradually dries out.
Arthur Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 (edited) Storage degradation depends on the containers that you use. The most susceptible chems need glass or hard plastic containers with sealed lids and possibly a desicant pouch inside the container. There is a lot to be said for seasonal firework manufacture. -make the stars when the weather will dry them for you! Added;Also look at modern resins in the construction of components and fireworks. A friend had to do the soak and dispose with some Chinese mortars after they got too wet during a show. The stars were still hard and round after a week in water, and when dried with a tissue they LIT as intended! The Chinese do use up to 10% resin as binder and fuel in their comps, this means that they are totally weather independent! I wonder if the star drying racks that the Chinese show to visitors are production methods or display for tourist methods. Edited August 29, 2009 by Arthur
NightHawkInLight Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 My KNO3 was starting to get a bit damp, I put it in a sealed container with a heap of calcium chloride. It is slow going but even in cold weather is gradually dries out.That becomes hard to do with 50+ pounds. And as I said, the humidity here is very often in the high 90s. Calcium chloride will only absorb so much water.
Arthur Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 If you can put the NO3 in a drum then you could consider a drum warming band heater, to keep it warm and dry. Otherwise get a good fitting lid for your drum and use a big bag of dessicant.
Mumbles Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 50lbs easily fits iinto a 5 gallon bucket. A CaCl2 packet or 3 should take care of the bucket. Personally, all of my KNO3 comes as prills. I add it to the bucket with dessicant after it has been milled.
NightHawkInLight Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 50lbs easily fits iinto a 5 gallon bucket. A CaCl2 packet or 3 should take care of the bucket. Personally, all of my KNO3 comes as prills. I add it to the bucket with dessicant after it has been milled.Hmm..I'll give that a shot.
lokys Posted August 30, 2009 Author Posted August 30, 2009 in that place, is and another problem, there are mouses .. so I dont know is that good idea to keep there my pyrotechnic equipment: materials, paper, star roller, shell`s, (pastet on wheat paste) and another things. would be no fun find destroyed sheel`s I would think , what I can do with that place . Thanks for answers
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