Me and my freinds are about to light a small container full of gas on fire...what could happen?

Question

it is going to happen on all cement and we are going to light a wick leading to it what could happen if we did this?

Answer 1

First, by as, I am going to assume you mean Gasoline.

What happens depends on the container you are using.

If it's just an open can (like a coffee can or something like that) the fumes will ignite where they can mix with the surrounding air and the fire will burn until the gas burns off.

If the container has a small opening, like a 1 gallon plastic gas can, the gas will mostly just ignite around the opening. Any oxygen in the can would be quickly used up. If the right mixture is present, you may get a small flash of flame inside the container, but most likely not enough to rupture the container. However, the heat from the fire could melt and burn the plastic. As the opening burns away and becomes larger, allowing more air to the gas fumes, the fire will become larger. The gas could spill and spread the fire, so make sure it's no where near something else that could catch fire.

I would advise against this experiment, as most likely noting "cool" or "neat" will happen and there is always a risk someone could get hurt badly.

If you aren't going to listen to reason and insist on doing this anyway, have a bucket or two of water ready in case you need to douse a friend. Don't throw water on a gas fire directly though as it can spread the gas and make the fire worse.

Answer 2

Gas by definition actually means air vapor which would include oxygen, nitrogen, etc. I assume that when you say 'gas' you are talking about gasoline.

What do you consider small? And what kind of container?

I also assume that the container will have the gasoline exposed to the atmosphere. Gasoline itself as a liquid is not combustable (or is flammable the correct term? - there is a difference BTW) It is actually the fumes or vapor that ignite.

What will happen is when the burning wick gets close enough to the container it will ignite the fumes, combustion will take place and the gasoline will be consumed in the fire. Depending on what the container is made of it may be burnt up, it may explode if it is fragile or brittle or it may be relatively un-harmed. Anyone that is too close to it will be rushed to the hospital.

My recommendaition is this. If you have to ask this question, you probably shouldn't be playing with fire.

Reminds me about a friend that thought he was cool doing his Gene Simmons imitation using charcoal lighter fluid. He still has the scar on his face from over 25 years ago.

Answer 3

Hi, SS. Glad you're nonetheless round to invite, as an open unlit burner would have quite simply ended in an explosion. This isn't an distinctive rationale of deadly residence fires in properties with historic levels that don't have vehicle-ignition. With the burner became off, air the position out for a few hours. Get a blend explosive gasoline/CO detector, approximately two times the cost of a consistent CO alarm. Seriously do not forget exchanging the range whilst you'll be able to have enough money it. If there are kids or forgetful aged dwelling there, make it ASAP.

Answer 4

make sure it is really long....
have fire extinguisher near by just incase
maybe sand or dirt nearby also for safety precautions.
Well if any drops are outside the canister, or the fumes are releasing, then the container may explode prior to touching the liquid.
A loud explosion the fire will die out once it runs out of gasoline. Watch out for pieces of the container that will be on fire, for once it ignites that container will be nothing but shards.

Answer 5

First of all, why would you light a small container full of gas? Second of all, you most definitly know that there will be a pretty fair size exploison or burst of fire. You and/or your friend could get serisouly hurt.

Answer 6

A fifth U.S. Forest Service firefighter has died of burns suffered when flames from a deliberately set wildland fire overran his five-man crew in Southern California last week

Answer 7

depends on wat kind of gas the container holds......who cares....u've probably lit it by now anyway......
if its oxygen, it'll burst into flame
if its nitrogen, the flame on the wick will go out
if its hydrogen, the fire will burn with a huge pop sound
if its any other gas, u'll probably get some poisonous oxide of the gas
don't u have anything better to do?

Answer 8

You chaps sound like an intelligent bunch. Don't worry, nothing will happen. Have fun. Call me tomorrow to let me know how it goes.

Answer 9

One of you might win a nomination to this year's Darwin Awards.

Answer 10

who knows get a big container keep a close eye it let us know