Here's the situation that provides the basis for my question: You live in the upper midwest it's Jan 7, 2000 the temperature has dropped to -10 and a stiff 20-30 mph wind is blowing. But you and 20-30 of your very close family/friends are crowded (cozy) in the family room. With blankets insulating the doorway, body heat, the kerosun heater, and the Petromax lantern you are managing to keep downright toasty. Earlier in the day, you finished a hearty meal of 9 bean stew.

Suddenly the room becomes like the campfire seen in Blazing Saddles. Except, you're not outside around a campfire you inside in a very enclosed space with at least two open flames. Recalling tails of the proverbial "Blue Flame" from high schools days, I have to ask it - will there be a rash of house explosions in Y2K?

Furthermore, if you could get one of those fuel cells that was mentioned on an energy thread a ways back, could you collect the gas and use it in the fuel cell to produce electricity?

Forgive me if this question has already been asked, I can't even pretend follow all the threads anymore - there is just too much activity on the forum.

Good Luck to all jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), April 01, 1999

Answers

Good question John. I think the amount of methane that GIs may produce in an enclosed situation should be an item of study. Looking forward to hearing the results...

"So, of course I want to see y2k bring down the system, all over the world. I have hoped for this all of my adult life." -- Gary North

-- Y2K Pro (2@641.com), April 01, 1999.

Why did you pick a non-event for your name Y2k pro?

-- KoFE (your@town.USA), April 01, 1999.

Y2k Pro, Please tell me why you post here and argue against preparation. Are YOU working to prepare? Are you bitter about something? Do you get paid to post opposing veiws? do you have a reason to stop others from doing what they think is best? I am very curious.

-- KoFE (your@town.USA), April 01, 1999.

I think the concentration of methane, while noxious, woould not be sufficient to cause an explosion (but a little ventilation is always a good idea).

However, the amount of methane that size group could produce would be quite substantial if you could find a way to capture and store it. I know I probably make enough in one day to heat a cup of coffee, or at least light the house for a few hours. :)

-- a (a@a.a), April 01, 1999.

There is NO, I repeat NO, danger of house explosion due to y2k or storage items related thereunto! You may all return to your homes now!

- The Home Commisariat

(There is, however, a substantially increased risk of Spontaneous Human Combustion. The Commisariat is researching this danger and will keep the public fully informed)

-- Blue Himalayan (bh@k2.y), April 01, 1999.

To answer your question-Yes I think so, at least one extra house will blow up if Y2K is bad.

Wasn't it Bill (clo) who said he would blow his up if he couldn't pay the mortgage and the bank wouldn't take gold coins in trade. Something about the bank being a criminal enterprise.

He will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), April 01, 1999.

"The big reason I'm hasseling this Forum is the fact that I'm "Gay and I hate you normal people! I will never know the happiness of having grand children sitting on my lap.

I can't even have my little nieces and nephews sitting on my lap, because all my brothers and sisters think I'm a "funny uncle"

All I can do is cause Y2K type disruptions to balance out my frustrations with the life that was given me. I can't help it if I hate myself!

I'm tired of being called a sikko! I've had to deal with this all my life and now I'm just getting even with everybody by creating disruptions.

I love it when old Sysman gets his dander up! Keep it up, old SyS!

The madder you get the better I like it! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

-- Y2K Pro (2@641.com), April 01, 1999.

Y2K will lead to home explosions if people store liquid propane (LP) indoors (perhaps a few 20lb bottles in the basement?) and the valve leaks!

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous99.xxx), April 02, 1999.

Don't forget that homes with natural gas might experience explosions and fires if pressure regulating systems along the gas distribution systems begin malfunctioning. There was an incident a few years back where every home in one neighborhood either burned or blew up from this kind of problem.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), April 02, 1999.

WW,

Thanks, that may explain why an organization I'm familiar is planning on shutting off the gas boilers and firing up the old oil burners (that were never removed) come the end of the year. Interesting.

Uncle D,

Good to see you around again. Maybe I should try to find a methane meter - anyone know the concentration at which it becomes explosive? I suppose I could go to one of the all too frequent dairy farm auctions, a situation I hate to see, and get a milking system to try to adapt to gas collection... Big question is would it use more energy than it produces.

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), April 03, 1999.

Nice to be back, thanks.

BTW, don't plan on hooking my butt up to your demented device!

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), April 03, 1999.

Uncle D,

Appreciate your candor. Taking your lead, I'll assure you that my guest needn't worry. Furthermore, I'll confess the whole idea started at a holiday party and I sat on it for over 3 months until I finally posted on April 1. (The legitimate observation/question that eventually gave rise to the question I posted was - would the septic system produce enough gas to provide power if we had a fuel cell setup?)

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), April 05, 1999.

John

After sitting on it for three months, how much gas were you able to collect?

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), April 05, 1999.

Uncle D,

Can't rightly say, but I have been accused of being full of hot air. (Although Sysman has been around long enought to know I wasn't joshing with my April 1 tale of the walking disk drive on the Year 2000 Projects May Be Overlooking Millions of Lines thread.)

So, all joking asside, creative thinking (I got lots of that) common sense (need to pick up a couple cases of that) to form jerry rigged solutions can go a long way toward getting us back on our feet if things get messy. Good Luck.

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), April 05, 1999.