218 Sir Frederick Abel [March 13, 



WEEKLY EVENING MEETING, 



Friday, March 13, 1885. 



Sill Fredekick Bramwell, F.R.S. Manager and Vice-Presidcut, 

 in the Chair. 



Sir Frederick Abel, C.B. D.C.L. F.R.S. M.B.L 



Accidental Explosions produced by Non-explosive Liquids. 



Ten years ago the lecturer discussed in some detail the various 

 causes of the continually recurring casualties which are classed under 

 the head of accidental explosions, and he then had occasion to com- 

 jiare the causes of coal-gas explosions, the occurrence of which is 

 as deplorably frequent now as it was then, with those of accidents 

 connected with the transport, storage, and use of volatile inflammable 

 liquids which are receiving extensive ajDplication, chiefly as solvents 

 and as illuminating agents. 



Within the last few years he has had occasion to devote special 

 attention to the investigation of instances of this class of accident, 

 and to examine more particularly into the probable causes of frequent 

 casualties connected with the employment of lamps in which the 

 various products included under the general designations of jDctroleum 

 and paraffin oil are burned. The latter branch of these inquiries, 

 which is still in progress, has been conducted in association with Mr. 

 Bovcrton Redwood, the talented Secretary and Chemist of the Petro- 

 leum Association, and with the valuable aid of Dr. W^. Kellner, 

 Assistant- Chemist of the War Department. Although it may be 

 hoped that their continuation will lead to farther data and con- 

 clusions of practical and public importance, it is thought that some 

 account of facts ah'eady elicited may interest the members of the 

 Royal Institution, and j^ossess some general value. 



Ever since liquids which, more or less rapidly, evolve inflammable 

 vapour when freely exj^osed to air, or partially confined, have been in 

 extensive use, casualties have occurred from time to time through 

 tlie accidental or thoughtless ignition of the mixtures of vapour 

 and air thus formed, whereby more or less violent and destructive 

 explosions have been produced, often followed by the ignition of the 

 exposed liquid which is the source of the explosive mixture, and by 

 the consequent frequent development of disastrous conflagrations. 



Many instances are on record of explosions, sufficiently violent to 

 produce effects destructive or injurious to life and property, resulting 

 from the application of flame to vessels which had contained cither 

 the more volatile coal-tar or petroleum products, or strong spirituous 



