Periodically someone manages to blow the side of a house in with a propane grill, too. Compressed hydrocarbon gasses are rather dangerous, and will burn on contact with air and an ignition source -- and will explode if conditions are right. Rather messy, the military uses propane tank airburst bombs to flatten large areas. Works better than big ship projectiles.
Use caution with hydrocarbon refrigerants, especially watch charging and charge only by pressure, not weight. They weigh MUCH less than halogenated equivalents, so you must watch the pressure, not the weight or you grossly overcharge (overpressure) the system and something will let go. Hydrocarbon gasses ignite on contact with oxygen (i.e. air) above 450 degrees F instantly, no need for a spark. The exploded compressor could have been just serious overcharge (I saw pictures and know the individual). He picked up chunks of the housing off the freeway -- the rear half split into several sections and the pistons blew out. Quite a loud "bang". Note that a slow leak will permit oxygen and nitrogen to enter that "closed" system through boundry layer migration -- I battle this all the time with gas chromatorgraphs. A minor leak out allows a smaller leak in along the surface of the containing material --- it diffuses through the nearly stationary atoms next to the metal pipe, rubber hose, etc. Peter _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
