22 replies to this topic

[Thudkaboom]

Hi,

David and I have been discussing Khoom Fay via email and decided it would be better to strike up a new thread for this topic.

Sky Lanterns are almost as popular in the uk as they are in their native lands now. I have been experimenting with various materials with varying degrees of success. It's certainly a fine art creating a floating orb of light and it gives a great sense of satisfaction to watch your own creation hanging hundreds of feet in the air to be seen for miles around.

We hope to spark off this thread with the view to sharing ideas, designs and knowledge of this art form.

I am currently working on a 100% biodegradable, organic design to overcome any environmental issues. Also, the use of metallic salts dissolved in alcohol to create coloured flames is something I have never seen used in Sky Lanterns and it would be great to discuss this along with other alternative fuel sources.

My current design uses craft tissue paper. Not crape! It comes in a myriad of colours, is inexpensive and 100% biodegradable. Fuel sources I am using range from wax soaked paper, fire lighters, wax soaked cotton cloth, paraffin soaked cloth and alcohol.
The shape also plays a fundamental role. I've tried cylinders, tear drop/balloon shapes and cubic shapes. It's not as easy as I first imagined and has therefore become a little obsession of mine.

One thing I would like to do is launch 10 lanterns all using salt/alcohol fuel to give a hanging blanket of coloured lights.

Welcome to the world of Koom Fay.

[Mixologist]

The biggest environmental problem at the moment is the wire suspending the fuel cells. Cows eat them and die apparently, it wont be long until someone gets sued.....

No wire is the way forward, some authentic ones i have seen use cane.

I have an old 40`s standard one but im not prepared to open it to find out what is used, although i know it is shapped like a rectangular union jack....

[Thudkaboom]

Sure. Wire is the problem here. It's tough finding an alternative material or method. It has to be light, rigid and fire resistant and degradable.

Does anyone have any ideas for replacing wire fuel frames?

[crystal palace fireworks]

Sure. Wire is the problem here. It's tough finding an alternative material or method. It has to be light, rigid and fire resistant and degradable.

Does anyone have any ideas for replacing wire fuel frames?

Fresh bamboo stems, or string dipped in starch might work.

Try making a cage, and layer the tissue paper around it!

You could spray them in flame retardent!

[David]

Cows eat them and die apparently, it wont be long until someone gets sued.....

Cows don't eat the wire directly. The potential issue is that the wire falls in fields, and is than caught up in machinery used for making winter fodder for the cows (combine harvesters? Whatever it is they use), and it's the metal in the fodder that is potentially dangerous.

The route issue is simply litter in fields getting caught up and entering food.

Edited by David, 27 July 2009 - 08:38 PM.

[Mixologist]

Cows don't eat the wire directly. The potential issue is that the wire falls in fields, and is than caught up in machinery used for making winter fodder for the cows (combine harvesters? Whatever it is they use), and it's the metal in the fodder that is potentially dangerous.

The route issue is simply litter in fields getting caught up and entering food.

yes so to re-cap cows can eventually eat them.... and die!

Fresh bamboo is a good idea.....

[David]

yes so to re-cap cows can eventually eat them.... and die!

Yes, but only in the way that any other rural litter is a hazard to cows. A discarded beer can can cause a similar problem.

Edited by David, 28 July 2009 - 11:29 AM.

[Mixologist]

Beer cans tend not to float into the centre of fields. They ofeten end up at the side but alot of farmers leave a 3m or so clearance gap to the edge of the field for hedge preservation etc.

The lanterns are in thier opinion a much much worse problem.

[David]

Yeah- I think the root issue is that metal is not biodegradable, and that does appear to be the biggest potential problem.

I've been looking at alternatives, but as yet not found anything that was easily available. Where could green bamboo be purchaced?

Edited by David, 01 August 2009 - 02:51 AM.

[Mortartube]

Yeah- I think the root issue is that metal is not biodegradable, and that does appear to be the biggest potential problem.

I've been looking at alternatives, but as yet not found anything that was easily available. Where could green bamboo be purchaced?

You could try and get a bamboo and grow it yourself. It is a very fast growing plant. Certainly in the tropices it can grow an inch or more a day. If you can get a small living plant it should be ready to harvest a few stalks by november. Ask at the garden centre.

[cooperman435]

but bamboo wont stay fresh for long will it.

Also with the thin sections needed to enable flight-worthy weight Id guess they would still burn through.

[David]

but bamboo wont stay fresh for long will it.

Also with the thin sections needed to enable flight-worthy weight Id guess they would still burn through.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd take the risk with it.

[Arthur Brown]

Much as I like the sight or floating balloons, I fear that releasing a small firelighter into the environment may not be neighbour friendly.

The initial lift is usually steady but some I've seen rise quite slowly. If one were to drift into a neighbour's car, or a field of dry crops there would be a more serious risk of a costly accident. Having heard of sky lanterns being visible 12 miles from the launch site they do need a bigger safety distance than most fireworks.

[cooperman435]

Arthur I wouldt worry too much.

the issue of launching them eve in a gentle breeze is that your holding them static whilst the wind is pushing them creating drag, as soon as they are released they stay upright and therefore hold their fil of hot air better. Lift actually increases once you let go.

Yes suitable venues are a must but most of our subject topic is restrained by much more stringent guidelines than those needed to fly these safely.

[David]

Much as I like the sight or floating balloons, I fear that releasing a small firelighter into the environment may not be neighbour friendly.

The initial lift is usually steady but some I've seen rise quite slowly. If one were to drift into a neighbour's car, or a field of dry crops there would be a more serious risk of a costly accident. Having heard of sky lanterns being visible 12 miles from the launch site they do need a bigger safety distance than most fireworks.

One video online has someone setting them off in what looks like a backyard, and at least two collide with the roof of the house, and one appears to get stuck!

There is also other footage of them being set off at a wedding, one very nearly drifting into the top of a marquee!

A large launching area is essential.