Re: [Paddlewise] Trangia Praise (was: Carrying Stoves)

BaysideBob wrote:
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael R Noyes" <mnoyes_at_gsinet.net>
> To: <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net>

> > Seems that the yachting crowd uses alcohol stoves 
[snip; not sure who said this]

> > The reason for this is that alcohol, being water soluble, is the only
> > liquid fuel that can be put out by water.  [snip]

> Hmmm,  I heard it was because propane and gas fumes are heavier than air and
> turned boats into potential bombs.  Butane and alcohol fumes are lighter and
> did not fill the boat so all the stoves meant for galley use are alcohol or
> butane.

Nope.  Alcohol vapor and butane vapor are also heavier than air.  Same is true
for propane vapor and gasoline vapor.  All will gather in your bilges. 
However, because the alcohol will dissolve in water, the vapor produced from an
alcohol-water mix is only (highly) flammable if the mix exceeds something like
30 % alcohol.  (Not sure of the exact number.  Dana Dickson may have the
figure.)

There usually being enough water sitting in the bilges to dilute small amounts
of spilled alcohol, a **small** alcohol spill does not lead to a "bomb in the
bilges."  OTOH, even a tiny propane leak can lead to an explosive mix in the
head space above the bilge water.  Ditto a small gasoline spill -- cause it
does not mix with water.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
chemist
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