[Public-List] Stoves and propane

[Don Campbell]

There is another comment that needs to be made regarding alcohol fuels 
and the problems of pouring from a plastic container to a metal one. 
Plastic containers will take a static charge and so will metal 
containers. In the case of alcohol bottles and Origo or similar  fuel 
cells, the charges built up are opposite charges and so if the plastic 
is close enough to the metal it may spark as the charges try to  
neutralize tehmselves. If the  concentration of alcohol vapor in the air 
is between 9 and 12% it will explode and cause a fireball. We have had 
one fire from this in the GLAA in the last 2 1/2 years with a 
single-hander. The result was a call to the Coast Guard and a tow in,  
plus a trip of about 70 miles to a burn unit with facial burns. Curtains 
were burned and there was some damage to the interior of the boat. 
Fortunately, the burns were not serious, but could have been, especially 
if eyes had been burned. WHEN ORIGO SAY TO POUR THE ALCOHOL  TO FILL THE 
FUEL CELL OUTSIDE THE CABIN, THEY MEAN IT.   In all reality, there is no 
safe fuel, unless you use solid fuels.  All liquid or vapor fuel sources 
require safe handling all the time. The molecular weight of air is about 
30 because air is 80% nitrogen as N2 with a molecular weight of 28 and 
18% -19% oxygen as O2 with a molecular weight of 32. The only carbon 
based fuels that are lighter than that are those with less than 2 carbon 
molecules and not much oxygen so methanol,  methane or ethane. Generally 
alcohol fuels are ethanol so two carbons and one oxygen  with several 
hydrogen as well. It is denatured with either propanol or methanol. If 
the fireball is yellow, it is methanol, if not yellow then the other.  
However, molecular weight by itself does not get the concentration 
within the cabin atmosphere to be non-explosive. It is a factor of 
concentration and if there is a source of ignition and the concentration 
is critical, it will explode violently. And from the experience from the 
sailor above he did have time to see a yellow fireball coming at him. It 
only takes a flip of a light switch to set off an explosion with natural 
gas in a house and that is methane! Be extremely careful with any and 
every fuel.
Don

Gordon Laco wrote:
> No, no camping type stove is considered safe in a yacht.
>
> Gord #426 Surprise
>
>
> On 13/03/10 4:38 PM, "Peter Amos" <p.a.amos at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> Is it permissible or possible to connect a camping stove,the type that is
>> usually fueled by the small canisters,to a larger refillable tank?
>> Pete ex #478
>>  
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