109 lines
4.5 KiB
Plaintext
109 lines
4.5 KiB
Plaintext
Subject: Lava Lamp Plans Here.
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Date: 13 Jan 1995 08:08:15 GMT
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I've had SEVERAL requests for the plans, so here they are.
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Sorry, I guess I lost the name of the guy who gave 'em to me.
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(I recieved two versions, and I liked this one best).
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WARNING!! This electronic document deals with and involves subject matter
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and the use of materials and substances that may be hazardous to health
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and life. Do not attempt to implement or use the information contained
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herein unless you are experienced and skilled with respect to such subject
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matter, materials and substances. The author makes no representations as
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for the completeness or the accuracy of the information contained herein
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and disclaim any liability for damages or injuries, whether caused by or
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arising from the lack of completeness, inaccuracies of the information,
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misinterpretation of the directions, misapplication of the information or
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otherwise.
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Please note: The information contained in this electronic document can
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be found in the 1992 Edition of Popular Electronics Electronics Hobbyists
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handbook, published annually by Gernsback Publications Inc, USA.
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Inside a lava lamp are two immiscible fluids. If it is assumed that fluid 1
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is water, then fluid 2 must be:
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.1) insoluble in water;
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.2) heavier than water;
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.3) non-flammable (for safety);
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.4) non-reactive with water or air;
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.5) more viscous than water;
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.6) reasonably priced.
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Furthermore, fluid 2 must not be:
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.1) very poisonous (for safety);
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.2) chlorinated;
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.3) emulsifiable in water (for rapid separation).
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In addition, fluid 2 must have a greater coefficient of expansion than
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water. Check a Perry's handbook of Chemical Engineering, and the above
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list eliminates quite a few possibilities.
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Here is a list of possible chemicals to use:
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.1) benzyl alcohol (sp.g. 1.043, bp 204.7 deg. C, sl. soluble);
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.2) cinnamyl alcohol (sp. g. 1.04, bp 257.5 deg. C, sl. soluble);
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.3) diethyl phthalate (sp. g. 1.121, bp 298 deg. C, insoluble);
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.4) ethyl salicylate (sp. g. 113, bp 233 deg. C, insoluble).
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If desired, use a suitable red oil-soluble dye to color fluid 2. A
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permanent felt-tip pen is a possible source. Break open the pen and put
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the felt in a beaker with fluid 2.
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It is recommended to use benzyl alcohol as fluid 2. (Caution!! Do not
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come into contact with benzyl alcohol either by ingestion, skin, or
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inhalation.) In addition to water, the following items will be necessary:
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.1) sodium chloride (table salt);
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.2) a clear glass bottle, about 10 inches (25.4 cm) high;
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.3) a 40 watt light bulb and ceramic light fixture;
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.4) a 1 pint (473 ml) tin can or larger;
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.5) plywood;
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.6) 1/4 inch (0.635 cm) thick foam-rubber;
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.7) AC plug with 16 gauge lamp wire;
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.8) hardware;
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.9) light dimmer (optional);
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.10) small fan (optional).
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The performance of the lava lamp will depend on the quality of the water
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used. A few experiments must be conducted to determine how much sodium
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chloride is necessary to increase the water's specific gravity. Try a 5%
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salt concentration first (50 g of salt to 1 liter of water). Pour the
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red-dyed benzyl alcohol mixture in a Pyrex beaker. Add an equal or
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greater amount of water and heat slowly on a hot plate. If the benzyl
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alcohol floats to the top and stays there, decrease the salt
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concentration. If it stays at the bottom, add more salt.
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Construct the lamp by fastening the ceramic lamp fixture to a 5 inch (12.7
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cm) diameter piece of plywood. Attach the lamp wire to the fixture.
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Screw in the 40 watt bulb. Cut one end off the tin can, remove its
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contents, and clean thoroughly. Drill a hole in the tin can for the wire
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to go through. Invert the can over the bulb (open end down) and affix to
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the plywood with epoxy. Cut a round gasket from the foam-rubber and fit
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it into the top lip of the can.
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Fill the bottle partially with brine, add about 150 ml of benzyl alcohol,
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then fill up the bottle with brine. Leave about 1 inch (2.54 cm) of
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airspace on top for expansion. Bubble size will be influenced by amount
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of air space. Tightly cap the bottle and place on gasket.
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The light dimmer is used to control the amount of heat in the bottle. It
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is helpful if the bottle is too short and the 40 watt bulb makes the
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benzyl alcohol accumulate at the top.
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The fan can also be used to cool the top of the bottle and help the benzyl
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alcohol to sink to the bottom.
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If desired, add a trace of an antioxidant such as BHA or BHT to the brine
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to add color and contrast.
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Enjoy and good luck.
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