7 replies to this topic

[OblivionFall]

I'm just kidding about the oxy/acetylene guys

But onto the actual topic:

I'm looking into making a Carbide cannon. If I buy a pound of Calcium Carbide off of ebay and use that will it work?

Also what ratio of water : calcium carbide should I do?

Thanks

[RandyinArizona]

I think you need to do a bit of research on how carbide cannons work.

 

The calcium carbide and water are not mixed as KNO3, C, & S are to make black powder.

 

Most carbide lamps and acetylene generators have a chamber that holds a volume of calcium carbide.

The chamber is airtight except for a vent to the device that will use the gas.

A controlled flow of water is allowed to drip on the carbide which decomposes into acetylene and lime.

 

CaC ₂ + 2 H ₂ O → C ₂ H ₂ + Ca(OH) ₂ .

 

The carbide cannon makes it's own acetylene, which when ignited makes the report.

 

HTH

[OblivionFall]

I think you need to do a bit of research on how carbide cannons work.

 

The calcium carbide and water are not mixed as KNO3, C, & S are to make black powder.

 

Most carbide lamps and acetylene generators have a chamber that holds a volume of calcium carbide.

The chamber is airtight except for a vent to the device that will use the gas.

A controlled flow of water is allowed to drip on the carbide which decomposes into acetylene and lime.

 

CaC ₂ + 2 H ₂ O → C ₂ H ₂ + Ca(OH) ₂ .

 

The carbide cannon makes it's own acetylene, which when ignited makes the report.

 

HTH

Well of course you don't mix the two together and store it then 'pop the lid when you feel like it and pour it into your cannon,

 

 Am I right that you are supposed to pour in about 5-10g of Calcium Carbide into a pipe with one end plugged and a little ignition hole in the end and pour water in to produce the acetylene gas? Maybe stuff a bit of wadding in the other open end so it looks cool when it goes boom?

[DaHaYn]

When you say plugged, how do you plan to plug it? It has to be solid as the concussion created by the combustion is very strong and if not "plugged" solid, it will blow out. The wadding is more like a temporary soft plug to contain the acetylene until it is lit off. Most people that use a large pipe as I am assuming your planning on using, they put a newspaper or plastic rubber banded around the opened side of the pipe to hold the gas in and help it to build up. With this method you know when it's ready when you see the "smoke" coming out of the ignition hole. Now the amount of calcium carbide you use to water depends on the size of said pipe. Hope this helps.

[Arthur]

Again a topic that needs careful testing, preferably remotely, before you go anywhere near it. One attempt at overdoing it and the tube comes in pieces to get you.

[MadMat]

LOL! Speaking of oxy-acetylene, I remember many years ago of filling up 1 gallon zip lock bags with the mix from a oxy-acetylene torch. The first time I tried it, I almost filled my drawers it was so loud

[Piccaso]

The stuff is no joke. Even a 12oz coffee cup full will turn the cup to confetti and get everyones attention in a city block. When I was a young mechanic we would do it at the shop , it would remove the pricing letters from our display and ring the gas cylinders like a tuning fork.

[Bushdrift]

I worked at Sn automotive conversion facility here in Aus & we used to find great fun in filling a 600ml plastic bottle with the acetylene mix and slide it up inside the chassis Rail then send the truck down to the next bsy to have the steering box fitted (welded) to the chassis 😄

Edited by Bushdrift, 13 September 2023 - 10:03 AM.