Mixing Chemicals

[Sparkmaster]

Guess this guy got quite lucky yesterday here in NH.

http://www.wmur.com/news/24558456/detail.html

 

[zea3]

Always read the lable first!

A little reminder that trichlor and cal-hypo do not play well together.

You can use trichlor and cal-hypo in the same pool, just not at the same time!

 

[benavidescj]

I wonder what he mixed together that was so explosive. Maybe Richard can shed some light?

 

[JasonLion]

Cal-hypo and any of dichlor, trichlor, dry acid, or cyanuric acid would do it.

 

[Beez]

Cal-hypo and any of dichlor, trichlor, dry acid, or cyanuric acid would do it.

Just curious...is it because he poured the mixture into the skimmer that an explosion happened? In other words, is it like gunpowder, if it hadn't been enclosed in a tight space(pipe) it would have just flashed instead of exploded? Scary!

 

[JasonLion]

I assume that he mixed powdered/granular products together and then poured the mixture into the skimmer, though the article doesn't make that totally clear. Mixed powders suddenly added to water would give the most dramatic effect. If they weren't pre-mixed you would get several pops, instead of one explosion.

 

[Beez]

I assume that he mixed powdered/granular products together and then poured the mixture into the skimmer, though the article doesn't make that totally clear. Mixed powders suddenly added to water would give the most dramatic effect. If they weren't pre-mixed you would get several pops, instead of one explosion.

So you're saying if you suddenly dumped mixed powders into the middle of the pool, there would be an explosion?!? Dang, if that's the case I think there should be more prominent warnings in the store and on the packaging.

 

[jparr]

I assume that he mixed powdered/granular products together and then poured the mixture into the skimmer, though the article doesn't make that totally clear. Mixed powders suddenly added to water would give the most dramatic effect. If they weren't pre-mixed you would get several pops, instead of one explosion.

So you're saying if you suddenly dumped mixed powders into the middle of the pool, there would be an explosion?!? Dang, if that's the case I think there should be more prominent warnings in the store and on the packaging.

The video showed him reenacting the event. He poured them from a bucket directly to the skimmer. Both products (not sure if they were premixed or not) would have ended up trapped in the filter and dissolving rapidly. This accelerated the reaction producing the explosion and back-pressure through the skimmer line.

 

[Beez]

The video showed him reenacting the event. He poured them from a bucket directly to the skimmer. Both products (not sure if they were premixed or not) would have ended up trapped in the filter and dissolving rapidly. This accelerated the reaction producing the explosion and back-pressure through the skimmer line.

That's the scenario I envisioned. That he poured the mixed powders into the skimmer where they reacted within the line and "exploded" because they were enclosed in a tight space.

 

[chem geek]

A video of what happens when you mix Trichlor with Cal-Hypo is shown here. A video of the differing fire potential of Cal-Hypo at different strengths is shown here.

 

[Beez]

A video of what happens when you mix Trichlor with Cal-Hypo is shown here. A video of the differing fire potential of Cal-Hypo at different strengths is shown here.

That is just amazing. And scary. No wonder the family is pushing for more effective warning...

 

[taekwondodo]

Wow - THAT's a powerful video...

Surprised that we don't have the DHS all over us pool guys.

Thanks!

- Jeff