science.howstuffworks.com— A sugar explosion recently happened at a refinery near Savannah, Georgia. Learn about the sugar explosion and find out what caused the sugar explosion.
May 4, 2010View in Crawl 4
Anything that can oxidize and can be dispersed in the air in fine particles can explode. Sugar, flour, custard powder...you name it. Get a rich enough oxygen mix and light a spark and boom....
Any chemical which is not fully oxidized can cause an explosion. This goes for metal dust such as aluminum or for grain, flour, sugar, and even sawdust under the right conditions. Carbon monoxide is also explosive since it is not fully oxidized.
Ya, one time I planted some mushrooms in a paint can, poked a hole in the can big enough for a tube to blow air into the can. Then placed a candle in the paint can, placed the lid on top and blew into the tube. The shroom spores then became airborne, the candle ignited the spores, and boom, the lid flew 20 feet into the air.Science is fun.
Almost all things when in a small enough particle form will burn dependent on heat. Dirt/dust and metal dust will burn quite well. If the particles do not burn, up the heat.
phaedrynMay 5, 2010
Anything that can oxidize and can be dispersed in the air in fine particles can explode. Sugar, flour, custard powder...you name it. Get a rich enough oxygen mix and light a spark and boom....
bosskeyMay 5, 2010
Yup, suger = calories = energy.
grungemusic3001May 5, 2010
Any chemical which is not fully oxidized can cause an explosion. This goes for metal dust such as aluminum or for grain, flour, sugar, and even sawdust under the right conditions. Carbon monoxide is also explosive since it is not fully oxidized.
jondayzMay 5, 2010
Ya, one time I planted some mushrooms in a paint can, poked a hole in the can big enough for a tube to blow air into the can. Then placed a candle in the paint can, placed the lid on top and blew into the tube. The shroom spores then became airborne, the candle ignited the spores, and boom, the lid flew 20 feet into the air.Science is fun.
evilgourmetMay 5, 2010
Almost all things when in a small enough particle form will burn dependent on heat. Dirt/dust and metal dust will burn quite well. If the particles do not burn, up the heat.
michichaelMay 5, 2010
News flash. Fuel-air explosives are entertaining.Try watching Mythbusters some time if you can't invest in some actual science.
Closed AccountMay 6, 2010
For furture reference.....That's Whoa not Woah