Agent of Orange

[-bart-]

that's Carbon dioxide not Nitrogen

sigh!

[Insanity]

that's Carbon dioxide not Nitrogen

sigh!

Erm, have another look at the link... I quote: 'The Megatron (Ice Cannon) is the original, liquid nitrogen, fog cannon used in some of the biggest nightclubs in the World. The system use liquid nitrogen at -196°C and is, therefore, much safer than carbon dioxide (Co2) systems. '

And last time I was in Amnesia, it was definitely a Megatron...

[White-Light]

Don't go to Amnesia in Ibiza then...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u01jW7uVOS4

http://www.back-stage-technologies.c.../megatron.html

The vapour is one thing, the liquid is another.

The vapours harmless provided you don't displace all the oxygen from the atmosphere with it. The liquid is another issue.

[-bart-]

I stand corrected. They do seem to use LN2

But I fail to see why the temperature would be an argument for its safety.

With CO2, displacement of the (21%) oxygen is not the problem. Your lungs fail to get rid of its own CO2, if the concentration becomes to high.(>5%)
You can probably add much more N2 to the already N2-rich atmosphere before it starts to become a problem.

[steve-o]

We use LN2 on a regular basis in the lab here at work (theres a huge nitrogen tank outside) and the low O2 warning alarm in the lab sounds at 20% and the danger (the doors fly open) at 19 or 19.5% (I can't recall exactally at the moment) but it's not much under the 21% level.

[planters]

Because these evaporated liquids are so cold they quickly fall toward the ground and so if they are not dispensed above head level then they are both pretty safe. The surprising fact that liquid CO2 is more dangerous than liquid nitrogen is due to the heat of vaporization. When CO2 evaporates, even though it is doing so at approx -060 C, it pulls nearly 3 times the heat energy out of the environment to do this transformation. There is going to be a much thinner and shorter lived gas layer protecting your skin from direct contact with the dangerous liquid (you know the old Leidenfrost effect). Once the tissue freezes whether at -60 or -196 the damage is done.

CO2 is an anesthetic. Long before the concentration rises to the point that the oxygen displacement is a threat you will be asleep. Then your slowed respiration will start you down a spiral of of increasing CO2 blood levels. This is not good.

[White-Light]

At least with CO2 you get a warning though as you feel short of breath. The big danger from inert gases is you don't actually know you're being asphixiated especially as its euphoric and even if you do realise its often only once you've reached the point of being so disorientated you're unable to help yourself.