Sienko Hanabi

The calculated formulation (two significant figures) represented by the above equation is  

The calculated center of the triangle diagram Takeo Shimizu gives for the phenomenon is  

Comparing these two we find a remarkable fit and the differences in the two are logical. Sulfur is volatile and not all of the sulfur used in the mixture could be expected to react as Equation Two indicates. The devices are small and the sulfur is easily lost as a gas. The carbon is slightly higher and this is expected from the nature of charcoal. It is not pure carbon so extra weight of charcoal would be logically required to produce Equation Two-type reactions. 

The theoretical formula is very near the center of the diagram. Analysis of Sienko Hanabi compositions residues shows them to be largely potassium disulfide in the first part of the reaction. Potassium disulfide is combustible and burns to yield the potassium sulfide as the reaction continues. 

Now we can give a simple chemical explanation for the observed phenomenon of this device. Experimental results of studies on Sienko Hanabi have shown that the reactions may be written  

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To discuss the reactions which create and control the spritzels we must have some background in three things the chemistry of Sienko Hanabi, and gunpowder some data on the most critical powder ingredient, charcoal. The nature of charcoal is all critical to gunpowder and similarly reacting mixtures. 

Shimizu reports that A. Meada, et alia, gave a temperature of 860°C as the burning temperature of the globules of Sienko Hanabi drosses after the initial reaction subsides and that the reaction continues for 8-10 sec. 

The formula does produce glitter and it produces better glitter than the same aluminum and meal powder or hand mixed 15, 2, 3 naturally it is advisable to increase the charcoal to compensate for the fact that the formula assumes the charcoal to be pure carbon. This base fire is the same as was found for Sienko Hanabi, so Equation Two becomes the first consideration in the chemistry of this simple glitter mix. 

Trapped spritzels or sparks from Equation Two (Sienko Hanabi) and Equation One mix. Notice that the Equation Two mix residues have charcoal submerged in the melt. The Equation One mix residues are sometimes blue. The transient blue which fades out in seconds is probably due to traces of the trisulfide ion. The more persistent blue is due to fine carbon particles. Note the charcoal on the surface of the Equation One spritzel, and that there is no carbon below the surface of the melt. (1mm = 20 microns)... 

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