gasometers

[dilbert]

One of my friends lives near a gasometer (which appears to have gone out of use recently).

We started speculating on the cubic capacity of these things. Specifically, we wondered how many parps of human flatulence it would take to fill one from empty?

If everone on the planet contributed one average bottom burp, would we be able to raise the roof?

[Rystan]

I'm going to try to answer this, ignorant as I am of your particular use of the word "gasometer." Does this refer to a filling station?

In any case, an average person produces between .5 and 1.5 litres of flatulence daily. Learn the capacity of the vessel you're discussing, and divide by this number to see how many cocoa bombs it would take to fill it up.

Could they raise the roof? Human flatulence is largely nitrogen, which is VERY flammable. Methane is a sometimes constituent, but is frequently misnamed as the primary component. The awful smell comes from an assortment of sulfides and butyric acid. In even small quantities, flatulence is quite capable of generating a fireball if exposed uncontaminated to a spark or open flame. If a significant quantity were accumulated, it could theoretically be used as a fuel to generate power.

[Rystan]

Correction... Nitrogen is NOT, of course, flammable. Methane however, is, as is Hydrogen, another component.

Sorry for the goof.

[dilbert]

Thanks for your input Rystan. Thought I would clarify what I mean by gasometer: here's a picture of one

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_a_waterfront/0_around_edinburgh_-_waterfront_1vy16a_shadows.htm#photo

Thanks.

[Rystan]

Odd little devices, I don't recognize them.

Let me know if you ever poof in sufficient volumes to fill one, I imagine the folks at Guiness would be interested!