Section V
No. 5
This device will ignite automatically after a given time delay.
MATERIAL REQUIRED:
- Small jar with cap
- Cardboard
- Adhesive tape
- Potassium Chlorate
- Sugar
- Sulphuric Acid (Battery Acid)
- Rubber sheeting (automotive inner tube)
PROCEDURE:
1. Sulphuric acid must be concentrated. If battery acid or other dilute acid is used, concentrate it by boiling. Container used should be of enamelware or oven glass. When dense white fumes begin to appear, immediately remove the acid from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
CAUTION: Sulphuric acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it away with a large quantity of water. Fumes are also dangerous and should not be inhaled.
2. Dissolve one part by volume of Potassium Chlorate and one part by volume of sugar in two parts by volume of boiling water.
3. Allow the solution to cool. When crystals settle, pour off and discard the liquid.
4. Form a tube from cardboard just large enough to fit around the outside of the jar and 2 to 3 times the height of the jar. Tape one end of the tube closed.
5. Pour wet Potassium Chlorate- sugar crystals into the tube until it is about 2/3 full. Stand the tube aside to dry.
6. Drill a hole through the cap of the jar about 1/2 inch (1 1/4 cm) in diameter.
7. Cut 4 disc from rubber sheet so that it just fits snugly inside the lid of the jar.
8. Partly fill jar with water, cover with rubber disc and cap tightly with the drilled lid. Invert bottle and allow to stand for a few minutes to make sure that there are no leaks. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
9. Pour water from jar and fill about 1/3 full with concentrated sulphuric acid. Replace the rubber disc and cap tightly.
IMPORTANT: Wash outside of jar thoroughly with clear water. II this it not done, the jar may be dangerous to handle during use
HOW TO USE:
1. Place the tube containing the Sugar Chlorate crystals on an incendiary or flammable material taped end down.
2. Turn the jar of sulphuric acid cap open end down and slide it into of the tube.
After a time delay, the acid will eat through the rubber disc and ignite the sugar chlorate mix. The delay time depends upon the thickness and type of rubber used for the disc. Before using thit device, tests should be conducted to determine the delay time that can be expected.
NOTE: A piece of standard automobile inner tube (about 1/32” thick) will provide a delay time of approximately 45 minutes.