Assessment of sustainable compositions to reduce emissions and sound pressure level of flash powder

Area of Science:

• Pyrotechnic chemistry
• Environmental science
• Acoustics

Background:

• Flash powder, essential for pyrotechnic devices, causes environmental and noise pollution.
• Current fireworks pose challenges due to adverse impacts from compounds like flash powder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop sustainable alternatives to flash powder for pyrotechnics.
• To reduce pollutant emissions and sound pressure levels in fireworks.

Main Methods:

• Collected F2 category flash bangers for analysis.
• Tested inert materials (sodium bicarbonate, recycled glass) and nitrocellulose as flash powder substitutes.
• Measured sound pressure levels and evaluated CO/CO2 emissions.

Main Results:

• Inert material additions (10-20%) significantly reduced noise and emissions.
• Nitrocellulose with <12.6% nitrogen did not perform adequately as a flash powder replacement.

Conclusions:

• Inert compounds show promise as viable alternatives to flash powder in pyrotechnics.
• Further research on higher nitrogen content nitrocellulose is needed for potential substitution.