Hunting Hydrogen Ballons with Fireworks

[ryverrat]

A buddy of mine suggested doing this. He also said fill a balloon with equal parts of this and oxygen, or acetylene of oxygen. Bigger boom.

Your buddy suggested it- that's nothing. I worked in a garage where the shop manager did fill a balloon with part oxygen, rest acetylene. Guy had one bad arm- another tech helped him, then they lit in the shop (we were closed by then and drinking beer) finally got the other managers to come in the shop for a beer after hearing the explosion- loudest thing I ever heard.

 

[Liam]

no one is worried about static from the balloons and volatile gases?

 

[ryverrat]

No, most people ignore the possibility of accidental ignition but I do know 2 people who were making the acetylene/oxygen balloons that did set it off with static electricity. But they were not filling a balloon- they were trying for a 55G trash bag!!!!. One holding the bag complained of the static (from the gas flowing into the bag) making the hair stand up on his arms. His friend did him the "favor" of brushing it down- BOOM. Bad part they were in the garage under the house- knocked both of them out, destroyed every piece of glass or ceramic in the house and both people were in the hospital for a week. They still have the plastic embedded in their chest. So warning to anyone wanting to do this- don't go big. It's too dangerous. As for the regular size balloons- the one my manager set off he was holding by the knot in his hand- don't recommend this- he was a bit. And if you are wondering- yes we are bored in PA and do this stuff all the time.