Potassium perchlorate fireworks

Sf.I.F-Tfst 6.3A Potassium perchlorate, KC104, is used as an oxidizer in fireworks. Calculate the heat required to raise the temperature of 10.0 g of KCIO4 from 25°C to an ignition temperature of 900.°C. The specific heat capacity of KC1C4 is 0.8111... 

In forming whistling fireworks, the aromatic compounds described above are mixed with oxidisers such as potassium nitrate or potassium perchlorate and pressed into tubes. On combustion, a loud whistling sound is produced, whose pitch is related to the length and diameter of the tube. 

Several metallic sulfide compounds have been used as fuels in pyrotechnic compositions. Antimony trisulfide, Sb 2S3, is a reasonably low-melting material (m.p. 548°C) with a heat of combustion of approximately 1 kcal/gram. It is easily ignited and can be used to aid in the ignition of more difficult fuels, serving as a "tinder" in the same way that elemental sulfur does. It has been used in the fireworks industry for white fire compositions and has been used in place of sulfur in "flash and sound" mixtures with potassium perchlorate and aluminum. 

Perchlorate is the oxidation product of chlorate. It forms a variety of compounds, including ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, and perchloric acid. Perchlorate is highly reactive in its solid state, and as ammonium perchlorate it is used as the oxidizer in solid rocket fuel. Because of its limited shelf life, it must be periodically washed out of the country s rocket and missile inventory and replaced. Large volumes of the chemical have been disposed of since the 1950s, and perchlorate has been detected in large concentrations in both groundwater and surface water. Perchlorate has also been used in the manufacture of matches, munitions, fireworks, and in analytical chemistry. 

Anhydrous perchloric acid is a powerful oxidizing agent that reacts explosively with many organic and inorganic materials. On decomposition, various gaseous products are formed. However, aqueous solutions of perchloric acid are not oxidizing at room temperature. This is explained on the basis of kinetic activation barriers. Most metals form perchlorate salts, and even molecular compounds, such as NO and NO2, also react with it to form ionic compoimds such as [NO]+ [0104]. Ammonium perchlorate is used as a solid-fuel propellant, particularly in missiles. Potassium perchlorate is also used in pyrotechnic formulations such as fireworks and flares. 

V/hen potassium perchlorate is added to hydrochloric acid or nitric acid, it causes no reaction. With cone, sulphuric acid it smells only slightly of CIO this is caused by some impurity such as KCl. The mixture of potassium perchlorate, and sulphide cannot be immediately ignited by adding cone, sulphuric acid this is a principal difference from the potassium chlorate mixtureCS.Yamamoto Studies in safety in firework manufacture, I, p.2 (1959)) ... 

When ammonium perchlorate is mixed with red phosphorus it becomes very sensitive to shock, but not so much to friction. With realgar, sulphur, antimony trisulphide etc. it also becomes sensitive almost like the above. The degree of shock sensitivity of ammonium perchlorate due to such substances is almost the same as that of potassium chlorate, but higher than that of potassium perchlorate. The low friction sensitivity of ammonium perchlorate due to these substances is one of its attractive features in comparison with potassium chlorate and perchlorate(T.Shimizu Sensitivity tests on firework compositions, J. Exp.Soc. Japan, 2, No.6, p. 3 3... 

The major market for sodium chlorate is for the preparation of the chlorine dioxide used for bleaching of wood pulp (Chap. 15). This market has recently risen by an order of magnitude every 10 years from the demand to replace of part, or all of the chlorine previously used for bleaching [13]. Other smaller uses of sodium chlorate are as a weed killer, for the making of matches and fireworks, and for the tanning of hides. A small market exists for sodium (and potassium) perchlorate, made by electrolysis of sodium chlorate using platinum electrodes (Eq. 8.30). 

Chemistry of fireworks Typical fireworks contain an oxidizer, a fuel, a binder, and a color producer. The oxidizer is the main component, making up from 38 to 64 percent of the material. A common oxidizer is potassium perchlorate, KCIO4. The presence of chlorine in the oxidizer adds brightness to the colors by producing light-emitting chloride salts that make each color flame sparkle. When it oxidizes a fuel such as aluminum or sulfur, it produces an exothermic reaction with noise and flashes. Aluminum or magnesium makes the... 

Potassium perchlorate, KCIO4, is a better oxidizing agent than the potassium chlorate, KCIO3, described in the previous problem. Potassium perchlorate, which is used in explosives, fireworks, flares, and solid rocket propellants, is made by carefully heating potassium chlorate to between 400 °C and 500 °C. The unbalanced equation for this reaction is... 

Potassium hydroxide (KOFI) is used to manufacture soaps, drugs, alkaline batteries, adhesives, and fertilizers. Like sodium hydroxide, KOH can be used in drain openers. Potassium perchlorate (KC104) is used in fireworks, sparklers, explosives, and solid rocket propellants. 

Blast wave recorded for a fireworks test salute, 50 g of flash powder [70 30, potassium perchlorate aluminum (German dark)]. 

How do fireworks produce their brilliant colors and loud bangs Actually, only a handful of different chemicals are responsible for most of the spectacular effects. To produce the noise and flashes, an oxidizer (an oxidizing agent) and a fuel (a reducing agent) are used. A common mixture involves potassium perchlorate... 

A proposed definition for a flash powder is the following a type of explosive composition commonly used to produce a report in a fireworks device. Flash powder consists of at least one oxidizer (such as potassium perchlorate or barium nitrate) and 25% or more by weight (of the formulation) of a metal powder fuel (such as aluminum or magnalium) that is less than 53 microns in size (passes through a 270-mesh sieve). Other fuels, such as sulfur, may also be present. ... 

---