You've probably seen these tubes without realising it. They are used in Christmas lights (not so much in the UK) and for the bubble effect in old Wurlitzer jukeboxes.
They consist of a glass tube with one end closed, some porous material like pumice or rock salt to hold pockets of the liquid and allow it to heat to the point it vapourises, and the liquid itself, which is normally methylene chloride, a common solvent that is not particularly flammable.
A vacuum is drawn on the tube to lower the pressure to the point that the liquid will readily boil at room temperature, and the glass tube is then sealed off by melting it.
When even the slightest amount of heat is applied in the area where the liquid is trapped in the crystals, it will boil and create a stream of bubbles that travel up the tube and recondense back into the liquid again.
They consist of a glass tube with one end closed, some porous material like pumice or rock salt to hold pockets of the liquid and allow it to heat to the point it vapourises, and the liquid itself, which is normally methylene chloride, a common solvent that is not particularly flammable.
A vacuum is drawn on the tube to lower the pressure to the point that the liquid will readily boil at room temperature, and the glass tube is then sealed off by melting it.
When even the slightest amount of heat is applied in the area where the liquid is trapped in the crystals, it will boil and create a stream of bubbles that travel up the tube and recondense back into the liquid again.
I wish I had these…. never seen these IRL
Does any one know where you can get DCM in the UK?
I use it for paint stripping and for joining plastics together.
I used to get it off eBay but now can't find it anywhere?
Tia๐
Amazing how Tech Ingredients elaborates on this very topic in Dec 2021 and shows how to make your own.
In the USSR there were similar, โะณะธัะปัะฝะดะฐ ัััะฟัะธะทโ! You can see in YouTube
Thank You for this informational clear and detailed awesome video ! It is fascinating to learn how the bubble tube works ๐๐ฝ
Awesome and thank you! I have always been so fascinated with these since I saw these on a Christmas tree in a home we were visiting when I was very young. I found one the the nightlight ones at a Christmas shop in North Pole Alaska this year. Every time I see it bubbling, I wonder how is is done. Now I know!
Theyโre actually really rare in the states also. Iโve only ever seen them for sale online nowadays. Idk if this was different when this video was made though.
Very good information thank you……how were these discovered ???? And what date????
It has a very low boiling point
OH, where did you get these from? I've been looking for these but only find antique ebay Christmas light ones. Or were these scavenged from exactly that?
Someone show technology connections
Heh. I remember those things from when I was a kid, never did understand back then how the heck they worked…
Very interesting watching one of these vintage videos. I am glad you and {Technology Connections} are both here to educate and entertain. Thank you.
i made a generator out of them
You used to be able to get Methylene Chloride at the hardware store in the US. A few years back the safety nazis pitched a fit and now no one sells it. Not sure if it is actually banned. In the last 20 years something like 5 people ignored the labeling and either used it to strip a bathtub (in spite of the large type that said DON"T USE IN BATHTUB) or in an enclosed space (once again in spite of the warning (DO NOT USE IN ENCLOSED SPACE. HAVE PROPER VENTILATION).
It has been replaced with something that is extremely flammable. I am waiting for reports of idiots who ignore labels blowing themselves up.