Chemical Reaction w/ Copper and Vinyl in a fire? 1

[wchowe]

I was at friends the other day, we were having a campfire. He took something out and buried it in the fire. It almost immediately changed the fire from yellow and orange to blue and green flames? Turns out he put some cut lengths of a typical garden hose into a copper pipe. I was skeptical about the reaction being safe to breath. Does anyone care to give a guess as to the chemical reaction taking place? By the way, the next morning, the copper pipe was left but the hose was consumed.

Thanks
Bill

 

[bchoate]

The questions raised are; 1) what is going on chemically? and 2) Safe to breathe? toxicity?

Garden hose is likely polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It contains a high concentration of dioctyl phthalte plasticizer. The hose likely contains fiber glass or other roving, heavy metal additives, and other plastics to create the finished article.

The hose is placed in a copper pipe and placed in the fire. As PVC is heated it begins to smoke above 100 C. At 200 C loss of hydrochloric acid begins and loss accelerates up to 300 C where PVC quantitatively loses hydrochloric acid (HCl). When HCl is gone the polymer is left as a chain of double bonds (unsaturated). PVC contains 56.7% chlorine indicating that a significant amount of HCl can be produced.

There are two paths for the PVC residue after HCL loss. If oxygen is present and sufficient, combustion will proceed. The products of combustion are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water depending upon a variety of factors.

If oxygen is not present or in low concentration thermal decomposition proceeds. The products of thermal decomposition are HCL, benzene, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and a variety of minor components. Thermal decomposition proceeds to completion above 400 C.

What was the environment in the pipe? Filled with air and the PVC hose initially. In the fire we do not know the composition. Is the process safe? The smoke from the fire contains fine particulates, HCL, carbon monoxide, and benzene? (benzene may combust as it leaves the tube). There is a level of toxicity which will produce lung and membrane irritation and interfere with breathing with too much exposure.

The colors in the fire are likely due to the copper in the fire. Some heavy metals in a flame will also produce a blue or green color. Thermal decomposition results in hose being gone.

 

[wchowe]

Nice detailed answer. Good job.

Thanks
Bill

 

[wchowe]

If the copper pipe creates the color change in the fire (blue green) then why add the PVC? Is it needed to create the reaction?

Thanks
Bill

 

[786392]

Dear although most of the explanation already with you,probably you might have noticed ever during your school chemistry classes that

each metal gives different shade and color if put in the flame(fire)

this also has relationship with the flame type(oxidizing i.e. oxygen rich or reducing i.e. oxygen deficient type)

similarly if copper is not pure metal and has some corrosion products(copper sulfate etc.)with it color of flame might be bluish green,I assume.

Experimentation may yield correct synopsis;however your query about mutual chemical reaction with hose material might be or might not be necessarily applicable.Unless checked and verified in the absence of hose material flame(fire) colors will confirm or otherwise the query.

It is highly suffocating,intoxicant combustion products whether in the presence or absence of ample oxygen and breathing in near vicinity must be avoided and adequate respiratory protection must be in-place.

Hope this throws further light onto your query from another standpoint,helpful.

Best Regards
Qalander(Chem)

 

[wchowe]

I'll have to try burning just the pipe. I suspect the effect will be quit subdued.



Thanks
Bill