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Smoke Machine

by Kevin Stith

Smoke machines, better known as fog machines, have been used in stage shows, rock concerts and movies for decades. These machines produce a smoke-like haze that is a mixture of carbon dioxide and glycol-based compounds.

Smoke machines work by being filled with a mixture called smoke juice, which is pumped by the machine into a temperature-controlled heat exchanger. It is in the heat exchanger that vaporizes the fluid and produces a haze. The smoke juice consists of glycols, food-grade glycerin and varying amounts of distilled water. The smoky effect produced by the machine depends on the concentration of glycerin. If the concentration of glycerin is more than 15%, then the smoke is denser.

Smoke machines are available in different capacities according to where they are going to be used. Machines for home are small, lightweight and mobile. They need continual heating of the smoke juice, and thus can only produce smoke for a couple of minutes at a time. But smoke machines used in theatres and concert halls are heavy-duty and can continuously produce smoke for longer periods of time.

The major output in the smoke produced by smoke machines is carbon dioxide. All the different glycols and glycerin are just reactants to produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a harmless gas, if inhaled in small quantities. There are no health disasters known due to carbon dioxide. However, asthmatic patients may find this asphyxiating, and some people are inherently allergic to smoke and smoky atmospheres.

If ethylene glycol is ejected along with the carbon dioxide smoke, then it is a cause of concern. Ethylene glycol is poisonous. It is safer to use smoke juice, which contains only those glycols which have been branded as pharmaceutically safe. Also, some glycols can react with each other to form formaldehyde, which causes breathing problems in smaller quantities. A formaldehyde problem may occur if the smoke machine has been set up without professional assistance.

Another problem that may occur due to smoke machines is interference with vision. The smoke causes low visibility, which may lead to accidents.

Smoke machines require permission from the authorities before they can be used. Also, smoke-machine and smoke-juice manufacturers must get their products checked before sale. Some enterprising people may prepare the smoke juice at home. However, the warranty of the machine is voided if homemade fluid is used in it.

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