Explosion of aerosol can in café Two chefs received flash burns to their upper bodies when an aerosol can of cooking oil exploded in a busy café. As a result of the explosion, a large window at the front of the café blew outwards. Luckily, no patrons or other staff members were injured. At the time of the incident, two chefs were in the open plan kitchen cooking breakfast in frying pans placed on lit gas burners. The aerosol can was placed on the kitchen work bench next to lit gas burners. The base of the aerosol then blew out, causing the contents to be released in the atmosphere. The propellant inside the can (17 per cent propane and 83 per cent butane) was ignited by the naked flame resulting in an explosion.   a) Which gas law explains the accident that happened in the café?  b) Explain why the aerosol spray blew out when heated.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
8th Edition
ISBN:9781259696527
Author:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart
Publisher:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart
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Explosion of aerosol can in café

Two chefs received flash burns to their upper bodies when an aerosol can of cooking oil exploded in a busy café. As a result of the explosion, a large window at the front of the café blew outwards. Luckily, no patrons or other staff members were injured.

At the time of the incident, two chefs were in the open plan kitchen cooking breakfast in frying pans placed on lit gas burners. The aerosol can was placed on the kitchen work bench next to lit gas burners.

The base of the aerosol then blew out, causing the contents to be released in the atmosphere. The propellant inside the can (17 per cent propane and 83 per cent butane) was ignited by the naked flame resulting in an explosion.

 

a) Which gas law explains the accident that happened in the café? 

b) Explain why the aerosol spray blew out when heated. 

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