Why is powdered coffee creamer so flammable

Organic Chemistry: Why is powdered coffee creamer so flammable?

Scientific explanation on why is powdered coffee creamer so flammable.

There are four necessary conditions for a dust explosion.

1. A combustible dust (organic compounds from living or once living matter are combustible.

2. The dust is suspended in the air at a sufficiently high concentration.

3. There is an oxidant (typically atmospheric oxygen).

4. There is an ignition source. Naked flame .

In general, dust with particle size above 400 microns will not ignite. Baking flour is about 50 microns in diameter. 

Non dairy creamer / coffee whitener normally consist of:

Maltose syrup — 60 - 64.5 %

Corn / Palm Oil — 30.8 - 35%

Sodium Caseinate — 2.1 - 2.5%

Moisture — 2.5%

Emusifying agent — 0.05%

The final specification of coffee creamer which is instantly soluble free flowing white powder are as under :-

Moisture — 2.5 to 3%

B.D. — 0.35 to 0.5 g/cc

Mean Particle Size — 150 µ (micron)

Solubility Index — 0.1 to 0.5 

So we have an organic compound ground to 150 microns. That makes a perfectly flammable dust. That's what we see in the video. 

All life is based fundamentally upon  chemical energy exchange and common throughout to all 'life' we have ever seen as far as we know life to be understood by accepted definitions.

Chemical reaction such as of combustion in coffee creamers, wheat dust, cooking oil, etc, are the very same, though with longer and more interesting biochemical pathways to offer greater utility, for the production of movement, manipulation of DNA, etc, as in all life ever observed.

Plants produce proteins and sugars and a host of other compounds as do animals such as cattle for milk production. We can also produce artificial compounds in factories which are very often based on and many parts extracted from natural resources. One is not but can be consumed in small amount, e.g. triacetin. Triacetin has fungistatic properties (based on release of acetic acid) and has been used in the topical treatment of minor dermatophyte infections.It has a role as a plant metabolite, a solvent, a fuel additive, an adjuvant, a food additive carrier, a food emulsifier, a food humectant and an antifungal drug.

If the foods we consumer cannot be burn at all then they would never be of any use to us at all as a food but, perhaps 'only' as a mineral. 

Although vitamins aren't associated with proteins or carbohydrates as a food they also can burn under the right conditions but, their value is more as 'keys' for life chemistry to enhance many other processes.

The fact we are warm has humans and must be kept warm is a testament to operation of our bodies pretty much the same as slow burning stoves:- We consume carbohydrates/fats/proteins and give off carbon dioxide but slowly and with a large amount of water as an important moderator ie The process of hydrolysis. So in essence we are just the same as a slowly burning stove which must be constantly fed organic matter and takes in Oxygen just like very same as a slow burning wood stove fire and the same if we die as the fire 'goes out'.

Its interesting to watch thermal graphs, laser pointer sensors and consider as we look at people and observe closely the thermal issues we are just the same in many respects as walking stoves which have the thermostat often set very precisely, lets hope we can do something useful instead of just sitting in the corner warming the room :-)

Avoid drinking the Milo powder product. 

Cautions of Drinking Milo

 That is why learning about the caution will give you more reasons to not drink it too much.

• Milo contains chocolate. One of the health benefits of dark chocolate is an excellent source of antioxidants. However, some studies also stated that dark chocolate when it is mixed with dairy products such as milk may reduce its effectiveness. So, if your purpose of drinking Milo is for its antioxidants then it will disappoint you.
• Milo is an excellent source of energy; that is why it is highly recommended to be consumed by children during development stage because they need more energy to grow than the adults. So, be careful because Milo contains fat which is beneficial as energy when it is properly used but when the energy is not used, the fat will be stored in skin cells and condition like obesity and weight gain will affect you.
• Milo also contains sugar. You must be surprised about how high the sugar content found in Milo is. Sugar is another energy source but when it is entering your body in high dosage could endanger your body metabolism.
• One of the ingredients used in Milo is extract of nut to improve the flavor. If you or your kids are allergic to nut is better to avoid Milo at all cost to avoid the worst side effect.