pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on sun 12 sep 04
Hi Des, Ivor, all...
I think the final opinion (which may not be entirely
final, ) resolved to implicate a reaction
of the finely powdered Aluminum in the Nitrocellulose fabric
dope
with an occasion of St. Elmo's Fire.
That the attributed reaction had in some way caused the
vewry finely powdered Aluminum-Nitrocellulose-painted outer
surface of the
fabric to ignite, which flames then communicated to the
Hydrogen...
I think there were four Engines - quite large
Vee-Twelve 'Daimler-Benz' or 'Maybach' Aero-Engines, and I
believe they would have
been Gasolene and not Deisel...
May of '37 I think...Lakehurst Naval Air Station (?), New
Jersey...
It was a very large, elegant and (otherwise) brilliantly
designed Air Ship...which I think originally had
anticipated, intended, Helium, but that for economic
compromise, was instead filled with Hydrogen...
Phil
el ve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Des & Jan Howard"
> Ivor
> I seem to remember reading that the fatalities were caused
by the
> diesel fuel for the airscrew engines, the hydrogen just
quietly burned away.
> Des
>
> Ivor and Olive Lewis wrote:
>
> > > Yes, but that is not the part of this reaction which
causes the
> > fire. It is the volumes of Hydrogen that are released.
Remember the
> > Hindenburg disaster?
> Des & Jan Howard
Ivor and Olive Lewis on tue 14 sep 04
Hello Phil, Des and others,
Hindenberg Disaster.
When the ship docked to the mooring mast there was a discharge of
Static. This was, as far as I am aware, the cause of Ignition. I think
the potential charge accumulation is about 5000 ev per foot of
elevation. From a ninety foot mast that would have been a good spark.
Electricity goes to your head if you think about it.
Never use a conductive line when you fly a kite
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
S. Australia.
.
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