Naplm- for a mini-nuke simulator design

From: edddy (ralphpoiu_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 02/24/05 

Date: 23 Feb 2005 20:00:57 -0800

(This come from a US NAvy website)
What Is Napalm?

What Is Napalm?

   Napalm is a mixture of benzene (21%), gasoline (33%), and
polystyrene (46%). Benzene is a normal component of gasoline (about
2%). The gasoline used in napalm is the same leaded or unleaded gas
that you put in your car.

   Gasoline is a mixture of hydrocarbons, which burn in an engine. It
is a clear liquid, made from crude oil that burns and explodes easily.
It naturally contains some benzene (which makes gas smell the way it
does). Gasoline is lighter than, and floats on, water, but it will not
mix with water. It dissolves grease and oil but will not dissolve
polystyrene by itself, more benzene must be added to it. If gasoline is
inhaled or swallowed, it can be dangerous or fatal. Breathing it
results in an intense burning sensation in the throat and lungs,
resulting in bronchitis and, eventually, pneumonia and possibly death.
Swallowing gasoline results in inebriation (drunkenness), vomiting,
dizziness, fever, drowsiness, confusion, and cyanosis (blue color).

   Benzene is a light, colorless, aromatic liquid made from a variety
of raw materials, mostly crude oil and coal. In many ways it is similar
to gasoline, of which it is a part. The major uses of benzene are in
making plastics and other chemicals, not fuel, although it could be
used as one. If benzene is breathed or swallowed, it causes throat
irritation, rest lessens, excitement, depression, and, finally,
convulsions, which can lead to death. A long exposure to benzene vapors
(months or years) leads to bone marrow depression and in rare cases,
leukemia.

   Polystyrene is the white, tough plastic that is used to make cups,
plates, and other tableware and food containers. In the pure state it
is slightly heavier than water. It dissolves easily in acetone and
benzene, but not in gasoline. It is not poisonous; if swallowed it
passes unchanged through the digestive tract. But it is possible to
choke on it. Heated polystyrene softens at about 185 F. At higher
temperatures it turns back into styrene, the chemical from which it was
made. Styrene has been tested as toxic to rats. In air, polystyrene
melts and burns with a yellow, sooty flame. Styrene itself has a sharp,
unpleasant smell that is easy to recognize.

***************************************************************
A trick is to substitute another solvent for benzene.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: About beer....
    ... And stated that GASOLINE AND BENZENE ARE ... usually synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum. ... as an additive in gasoline but it is an important industrial solvent ...
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  • Re: About beer....
    ... Seeing that Benzene and gasoline are very closly related, ... compound that is a colorless and flammable liquid with a pleasant, ... and precursor in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, ...
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  • Re: About beer....
    ... And stated that GASOLINE AND BENZENE ARE ... WHIFF ON THE FUEL FUMES WHEN YOU FILL YOUR CAR. ...
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