Carbide Cannon

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Carbide Cannon - a home made or store bought noise maker. See Big-Bang Cannon. The operation of the device consists of dropping carbide powder or pieces into water residing in an enclosed container. The carbide, upon mixing with the water forms acetylene gas. This gas is then ignited by a spark, causing a loud report. It can also be made of a steel tube welded shut at one end and a small hole drilled close to the welded end the other end of the tube should be left free. By inserting a small lump of carbide and a few drops of water should start the acetylene buildup. After a few seconds the gas-air mixture becomes optimal for combustion due to a small hole of about 10 milimeters which draws air into the tube, mixing with the acetylene gas. Lighting the mixture is done by a lighter's flame put on the small hole on the side of the tube, followed by a loud report depending on the width of the tube and the mixture of gas-air. The report can exceed 200 decibels. For a description of the reaction of Carbide with water, see Carbide lamp.

Current production [1] 1929 Description [2]