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still throwing sawdust into an electric kiln. don't doubt the problems

updated fri 2 jun 00

 

iandol on wed 31 may 00


Dear Ried Harvey,=20

The cautions you have been given should be heeded. There is a famous =
book called Fahrenheit 451. You may have read it. The significance of =
that temperature is that it is the heat at which paper will ignite and =
flame. Paper and sawdust are the same substance as chemicals, =
hydro-carbons. So you could get that explosion. The glow of a single =
cigarette has detonated explosions in dust laden atmospheres.

Also Please Note what I have said about Silver Nitrate. I could use it =
as a component in a very effective explosive. It decomposes at just over =
300C, well below red heat. I believe it will leave a deposit of =
activated silver on any surface it is contact with, without the need of =
any reducing agent. I also mentioned Nitrogen Dioxide as an irritant if =
it is inhaled. It is also a very corrosive gas so you may wish to =
speculate about it=92s effects on elements and the casing of an electric =
kiln. It may be like pouring nitric acid on the metal, possibly far more =
effective at destroying those elements than a reducing atmosphere at =
500C.

Please heed the information you have been given in good faith. Be wise =
enough to seek a second or third opinion from a qualified chemist. There =
are some experiments you can never reverse after they have gone wrong, =
though you are always wise in hindsight.

Written with the kindest feelings of comradeship.

Ivor Lewis.