One cup of gasoline has the explosive power to blow a thousand pounds of anything a thousand feet into the air instantly. How many cups of gasoline in the tank of the average motor vehicle? Of course, it has to be in vapor form, and mixed at the proper fuel/air ratio; same with the stuff in the propane tank — and even then, it needs something to ignite it (if you don’t believe me, check out past episodes of “Mythbusters”). Fizz is more at risk of falling out of the bakfiets while doing her “Major Kong” imitation than she is from the tank exploding.
And just for whatever it’s worth, how did she ever pick up that reference in the first place?
I’ll take a water heater over a cement truck any day of the week. A) they are slightly cheaper. B) they’re a little more easy to find. C) you don’t need a mine to blow one up in.
Now if only they could get their camera guys to be able to follow the action from lift off to re-entry.
“Science” is a dirty word for some people (unfortunately, including some of those who make decisions etc.)
So, for example, there’s still quite a number of places where cars using CNG are not allowed to enter underground parking spaces. Of course, this comes from the restriction imposed on LPG powered vehicles – and yes, there IS a very good reason why LPG powered vehicles shouldn’t be allowed in underground parking. However, there is also a significant difference between LPG and CNG (heavier than air / lighter than air)…
Still not much of a problem unless it is somewhere INSIDE an enclosed area and the valve is left open for a significant time period before Sprocket enters…
What puzzles me more is the situation itself – Thistle is returning propane to the store…? What?
I could imagine returning an empty tank to the store, but…
Someone enlighten me, what’s going on?
its an empty tank now but will be full coming home. Even empty it’s still full of flammable vapour and while lots of people are dismissing the danger, they do require that all cigarettes, etc. be kept clear of the stuff. I wouldn’t bat an eye at this scene, though. Seems perfectly reasonable to do as thistle intends.
Opening the tanks valve, is still not a problem. Unless the safety valve, inside the tank valve is faulty. Could that be why they are returning the tank?
(Michael) Sure, most of us probably know that. But, since people return the EMPTY tank, why should Thistle’s husband worry about Fizz sitting on a “tank of gas”? That’s the question.
(yes, Fizz could be sitting on a FULL tank on the way BACK… but that’s already just a speculation. Who knows if Fizz is really going back home together with the new tank? – she could be left in the kindergarten meanwhile, or whatever)
Even though the tank is “Empty” being a gas it becomes empty when the pressure in the tank equals the pressure in the environment. There is still the left over gas in the tank that lingures…possibly in a more combustible friendly mix than when the tank is full. Either way, once the tank has gas put in it….it will always have some amount left in it until it is purged by less harmful gas. That is why you never try to destroy a propane tank unless you know what you are doing.
That reminds me of a rocket-bike on the nineties http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nELqJwd0r0Y
Sure not very ecological… but just without the post-burner and some liquid-gas… ei or perhaps coke+ mentos
Love the movie reference!
I dunno, that could be Slim Pickens round here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueuauKKjPZI
I’ve just become afraid to sit in the back seat of the car ever again!
You mean like this kid???
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/633567/thumbs/o-SEATBELT-GAS-CAN-ENFORCEMENT-570.jpg?4
Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines.
CAUTION: Science ahead!
One cup of gasoline has the explosive power to blow a thousand pounds of anything a thousand feet into the air instantly. How many cups of gasoline in the tank of the average motor vehicle?
Of course, it has to be in vapor form, and mixed at the proper fuel/air ratio; same with the stuff in the propane tank — and even then, it needs something to ignite it (if you don’t believe me, check out past episodes of “Mythbusters”). Fizz is more at risk of falling out of the bakfiets while doing her “Major Kong” imitation than she is from the tank exploding.
And just for whatever it’s worth, how did she ever pick up that reference in the first place?
On the subject of MythBusters, nothing beats the hot water heater for the best BANG!!!
Except maybe the cement truck…..
I’ll take a water heater over a cement truck any day of the week. A) they are slightly cheaper. B) they’re a little more easy to find. C) you don’t need a mine to blow one up in.
Now if only they could get their camera guys to be able to follow the action from lift off to re-entry.
“Science” is a dirty word for some people (unfortunately, including some of those who make decisions etc.)
So, for example, there’s still quite a number of places where cars using CNG are not allowed to enter underground parking spaces. Of course, this comes from the restriction imposed on LPG powered vehicles – and yes, there IS a very good reason why LPG powered vehicles shouldn’t be allowed in underground parking. However, there is also a significant difference between LPG and CNG (heavier than air / lighter than air)…
No Problem here unless Sister Sprocket rides up toking on the pipe & Fizz accidently cracks oepn the valve - “Oh the humanity”
Still not much of a problem unless it is somewhere INSIDE an enclosed area and the valve is left open for a significant time period before Sprocket enters…
What puzzles me more is the situation itself – Thistle is returning propane to the store…? What?
I could imagine returning an empty tank to the store, but…
Someone enlighten me, what’s going on?
Propane grill was used over Memorial Day weekend?
its an empty tank now but will be full coming home. Even empty it’s still full of flammable vapour and while lots of people are dismissing the danger, they do require that all cigarettes, etc. be kept clear of the stuff. I wouldn’t bat an eye at this scene, though. Seems perfectly reasonable to do as thistle intends.
even with the valve open nothing is going to leak out unless a hose is improperly attached
Opening the tanks valve, is still not a problem. Unless the safety valve, inside the tank valve is faulty. Could that be why they are returning the tank?
You return to the store with the empty tank to either exchange for a full tank, or refill the empty…
(Michael) Sure, most of us probably know that. But, since people return the EMPTY tank, why should Thistle’s husband worry about Fizz sitting on a “tank of gas”? That’s the question.
(yes, Fizz could be sitting on a FULL tank on the way BACK… but that’s already just a speculation. Who knows if Fizz is really going back home together with the new tank? – she could be left in the kindergarten meanwhile, or whatever)
You are presuming that is Thistle’s husband… It could be a neighbor, or a customer of the Kickstand…
Even though the tank is “Empty” being a gas it becomes empty when the pressure in the tank equals the pressure in the environment. There is still the left over gas in the tank that lingures…possibly in a more combustible friendly mix than when the tank is full. Either way, once the tank has gas put in it….it will always have some amount left in it until it is purged by less harmful gas. That is why you never try to destroy a propane tank unless you know what you are doing.
Instant CLASSIC!
That reminds me of a rocket-bike on the nineties http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nELqJwd0r0Y
Sure not very ecological… but just without the post-burner and some liquid-gas… ei or perhaps coke+ mentos