tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039256.post8304988026938205784..comments2023-12-16T07:28:27.968-05:00Comments on Notes from the Technology Underground: Methylene Chloride and Dippy Bird ScienceWilliam Gurstellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504155694151207039noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039256.post-31836253354970953992009-05-06T01:56:00.000-04:002009-05-06T01:56:00.000-04:00While working at a print shop where we used MC to ...While working at a print shop where we used MC to clean ink from presses, a 5 gallon container was left in the sun on a summer day. When we started to unscrew the cap, it started hissing, and so, rather than wait for the pressure to equalize, a co-worker ducked down and spun the cap off quickly. The resulting geyser blew the cap about 10 feet high, and vaporized instantly. Really. There was only about 2 gallons left in the container, and not one drop hit the ground. It's the mental picture I form when I hear the word 'volatile'.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02856596977351748441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039256.post-81012906682389565122009-05-05T23:16:00.000-04:002009-05-05T23:16:00.000-04:00Jim, if you have a picture of your home made dippy...Jim, if you have a picture of your home made dippy bird I would love to see it! Please contact me using the form at www.williamgurstelle.comWilliam Gurstellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12504155694151207039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039256.post-71029773364810894142009-05-05T22:29:00.000-04:002009-05-05T22:29:00.000-04:00I was also fascinated by these "drinking" birds a...I was also fascinated by these "drinking" birds as a kid. My first sighting was of a whole flock of them bobbing away in a store window. I still retain a partial image of that sight. As a young adult, knowing then how they worked, I was driven to make one. And it was successful, even though my glassblowing skills were less than professional! I used ordinary acetone as the working fluid. I also made some "bubblers" that worked at room temperature using evaporative cooling at the top end.Jim Senftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039256.post-3985786232096018362009-05-05T16:59:00.000-04:002009-05-05T16:59:00.000-04:00also seen in those bubbler christmas tree lights!also seen in those bubbler christmas tree lights!brainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07782929236042088951noreply@blogger.com