I thought the aluminum used in rocket fuel was in the form of powder (or filings) to greatly increase the surface area. It is not in a puddle of molten aluminum.
Has anyone found where a puddle of molten aluminum acts this way?
BTW, magnesium filings are more spectacular when they go up.
Don't they hold all the same properties no matter what the form?
Mixing water {as the theory in the story with AL} and many chemical substances or contaminants with molten aluminum can cause explosions. These explosions range widely in violence and can result in injury or death as well as destruction of equipment and plant facilities."..
"Activities such as aluminum grinding, sawing, cutting, sanding and scratch brushing generate fine aluminum particles, some of which are fine enough to be potentially explosive. These particles are known as “dust” or “powder. Particles larger than 500 microns will not in all likelihood sustain an explosion. Material 420 microns or finer has the potential for explosion."-http://www.aluminum.org/Content/NavigationMenu/TheIndustry/HealthSafety/default.htm
The levels of contaminants, agents breathed, have to be life shortening as well.
The sprinkler systems seemed to me in this story a catalyst. Like the author of the piece stated, sometimes codes or safety measures are taken that are not always in the best interest of safety.."just to do it".