While CO is a byproduct of methane oxidation, CO itself is still flammable. It can be further oxidized to CO2 (2CO + O2 --> 2 CO2).
That doesn't mean I think this is a legit reason to explain the explosion. Why would there be some large contained concentration of CO somewhere? What sparked the explosion?
I think it is much more likely that it was an implausible excuse for underground habbenings in D.C.
You are correct on both counts. I stand corrected.
For there to be a perfect oxygen/fuel mixture is weird as hell.
Reading the MSDS it says you need a window of 10% to 70% limit saturation for it to become combustible. So at least 10% of the atmosphere of those pipes consisted of Carbon Monoxide. You'd think they would have measures in place to stop this sort of thing.
Auto-ignition temperature
Flash point
607°C (1124.6°F)
MSDS says you need to get it pretty damn hot for spontaneous combustion. That's a lot of pressure to get to that temperature. That means there had to be a spark.
Carbon Monoxide isn't explosive. It is a by-product of combustion.
You'd have a better time burning ash.
Why the hell would there be flames?
I've never seen anything like this. It is really suspicious.
While CO is a byproduct of methane oxidation, CO itself is still flammable. It can be further oxidized to CO2 (2CO + O2 --> 2 CO2).
That doesn't mean I think this is a legit reason to explain the explosion. Why would there be some large contained concentration of CO somewhere? What sparked the explosion?
I think it is much more likely that it was an implausible excuse for underground habbenings in D.C.
CO is very flammable in the right concentration. This whole manhole incident is overblown. Typical FD response for an underground vault fire.
You are correct on both counts. I stand corrected.
For there to be a perfect oxygen/fuel mixture is weird as hell.
Reading the MSDS it says you need a window of 10% to 70% limit saturation for it to become combustible. So at least 10% of the atmosphere of those pipes consisted of Carbon Monoxide. You'd think they would have measures in place to stop this sort of thing.
I doubt that this is normal.
Auto-ignition temperature Flash point 607°C (1124.6°F)
MSDS says you need to get it pretty damn hot for spontaneous combustion. That's a lot of pressure to get to that temperature. That means there had to be a spark.