why do oil barrel explode? - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**FliveGell** · 07-10-2006, 08:35 PM

in many games, oil barrel will explode when fired on.

i thought barrels only blow up because it becomes very very hot.
i doubt sparks and friction from a bullet can set off a barrel.

so has anyone conducted a "shoot at an oil barrel" experiement.

**Fdhwzctl** · 07-10-2006, 08:37 PM

Call Mythbusters.

**Nakforappealp** · 07-10-2006, 08:39 PM

why not a petrol barrel, although I've seen barrels next to oil rigs that explode

**Inonanialry** · 07-10-2006, 08:46 PM

Call Mythbusters.

Well, mythbusters did do a "similar" experiment when they shot a fuel tank on a car with various hand guns, machine guns and rifles. None managed to set the tank on fire, till I think when they tried a tracer bullet! But shooting a full barrel of oil would probably be a bit different.

**Irrampbroow** · 07-10-2006, 08:55 PM

If shot with a heavy rifle, an oil barrel may break from its seams by the hydraulic shock and catch fire from the tracer or sparks. In the worst case it goes Woosh, in no case BOOOM!

Hollywood. [yawn]

**Justlovemy** · 07-10-2006, 09:00 PM

crude oil is quite volitile you know

**Paul Bunyan** · 07-10-2006, 09:33 PM

If shot with a heavy rifle, an oil barrel may break from its seams by the hydraulic shock and catch fire from the tracer or sparks. In the worst case it goes Woosh, in no case BOOOM!

Hollywood. [yawn]

Yup, 'course if it has a liquid with a low enough flash point it'll ignite quite easily. For any drum to explode there'll need to be an explosive mix of fumes and air, anyway, so empty drums can explode.

If you want to make yourselves popular, you can blow a drum up with a small quantity of petrol - quarter of a cup'll be ample. Most important things are to have some means of igniting it from a safe distance and ear protectors, it can make a hell of a bang.

**zoppereurvito** · 07-10-2006, 09:44 PM

The correct answer is they explode because it's exciting.

**Vzkdgdqx** · 07-10-2006, 11:17 PM

The correct answer is they explode because it's exciting.

exactly!

**DownloadADOBEsoftware** · 07-10-2006, 11:36 PM

hmm, the MOHAA barrels only leaked oil

**himecthekWiff** · 07-11-2006, 01:18 AM

Well, mythbusters did do a "similar" experiment when they shot a fuel tank on a car with various hand guns, machine guns and rifles. None managed to set the tank on fire, till I think when they tried a tracer bullet! But shooting a full barrel of oil would probably be a bit different.

You are right. I love Mythbusters. It's one of my favorites. ( I've got the hots for Kari

)

**Justlovemy** · 07-11-2006, 01:29 AM

You are right. I love Mythbusters. It's one of my favorites. ( I've got the hots for Kari )

well as with most flammible liquids its the vapour thats the flammible part of it.

07-10-2006, 08:35 PM	#1
FliveGell Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 401 Senior Member	why do oil barrel explode? in many games, oil barrel will explode when fired on. i thought barrels only blow up because it becomes very very hot. i doubt sparks and friction from a bullet can set off a barrel. so has anyone conducted a "shoot at an oil barrel" experiement. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-10-2006, 08:37 PM	#2
Fdhwzctl Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 468 Senior Member	Call Mythbusters. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-10-2006, 08:39 PM	#3
Nakforappealp Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 376 Senior Member	why not a petrol barrel, although I've seen barrels next to oil rigs that explode Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-10-2006, 08:46 PM	#4
Inonanialry Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 458 Senior Member	Call Mythbusters. Well, mythbusters did do a "similar" experiment when they shot a fuel tank on a car with various hand guns, machine guns and rifles. None managed to set the tank on fire, till *I think* when they tried a tracer bullet! But shooting a full barrel of oil would probably be a bit different. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-10-2006, 08:55 PM	#5
Irrampbroow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 438 Senior Member	If shot with a heavy rifle, an oil barrel may break from its seams by the hydraulic shock and catch fire from the tracer or sparks. In the worst case it goes Woosh, in no case BOOOM! Hollywood. [yawn] Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-10-2006, 09:00 PM	#6
Justlovemy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 431 Senior Member	crude oil is quite volitile you know Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-10-2006, 09:33 PM	#7
Paul Bunyan Join Date Jul 2007 Age 59 Posts 4,495 Senior Member	If shot with a heavy rifle, an oil barrel may break from its seams by the hydraulic shock and catch fire from the tracer or sparks. In the worst case it goes Woosh, in no case BOOOM! Hollywood. [yawn] Yup, 'course if it has a liquid with a low enough flash point it'll ignite quite easily. For any drum to explode there'll need to be an explosive mix of fumes and air, anyway, so empty drums can explode. If you want to make yourselves popular, you can blow a drum up with a small quantity of petrol - quarter of a cup'll be ample. Most important things are to have some means of igniting it from a safe distance and ear protectors, it can make a hell of a bang. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-10-2006, 09:44 PM	#8
zoppereurvito Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 520 Senior Member	The correct answer is they explode because it's exciting. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-10-2006, 11:17 PM	#9
Vzkdgdqx Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 433 Senior Member	The correct answer is they explode because it's exciting. exactly! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-10-2006, 11:36 PM	#10
DownloadADOBEsoftware Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 450 Senior Member	hmm, the MOHAA barrels only leaked oil Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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07-11-2006, 01:18 AM	#11
himecthekWiff Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 374 Senior Member	Well, mythbusters did do a "similar" experiment when they shot a fuel tank on a car with various hand guns, machine guns and rifles. None managed to set the tank on fire, till *I think* when they tried a tracer bullet! But shooting a full barrel of oil would probably be a bit different. You are right. I love Mythbusters. It's one of my favorites. ( I've got the hots for Kari ) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

07-11-2006, 01:29 AM	#12
Justlovemy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 431 Senior Member	You are right. I love Mythbusters. It's one of my favorites. ( I've got the hots for Kari ) well as with most flammible liquids its the vapour thats the flammible part of it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

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