Re: fire from water.

From: cat (spam1_at_tigerfiles.com)
Date: 12/30/04 

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 17:37:27 -0500

Could have also been a reactive metal with an oxidizer.

I found this formula as well as a few other with a quick Google search, I
should note I have NOT tried it and Finely divided metal powders mixed with
AN is usually not a good idea.

Ammonium Nitrate 28 %
Ammonium Chloride 3 %
Zinc Dust 69 %

Here's the chemical reaction that takes place:

1. Cl- (from NH4CL) acts as a catalyst on the decomposition of NH4NO3:
Cl-NH4NO3-----------------> N2O(g) + 2 (H2O)(aq)
2. Water in the reaction causes the decomposition of more NH4NO3, which is
an autocatalytic effect.
3. The reaction melts the NH4NO3 and allows the oxidation of the zinc. The
overall reaction is:
Zn (s) + NH4NO3 (s)------> N2 (g) + ZnO (s) + 2 (H2O) (g)

I+Al link: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug98/899616323.Ch.r.html