SpudFiles Wiki - User contributions [en]

Propane

2006-12-25T05:09:00Z

SkweezMyCheez:

[[Image:Propane.gif|right|thumb|300px|The propane molecule]]'''Propane''' is probably the most common fuel used by builders of higher-end combustion launchers - and with good reason too. It is powerful, easily [[fuel meter|metered]], clean burning, widely available and inexpensive.

Propane can be injected the same way an [[aerosol]] fuel would, but it is common to devise a method to carefully control the amount metered into the chamber; often a conventional [[fuel meter]] or large syringe is used, although using the pre-mixed fuel mixture from an unlit propane torch is convenient for fuelling very small launchers.

It is important that the fuel/air mixture be near 4.2% by volume, because you lose power if your fuel/air mix is [http://www.burntlatke.com/lpmapprussets.html wrong].

Propane leaves no soot when burned, so it does not require one to clean their chamber frequently, and leaves practically no offensive odor.

Propane is sold in bulk tanks and disposable canisters at most hardware stores, and most large stores, and is often the primary propellant in aerosols.

Propane is a member of the alkane family of hydrocarbons, having the general formula, CnH2n+2. 
Molecular Formula: C3H8 
Condensed Formula: CH3CH2CH3 
Combustion: C3H8 + 5O2 ==> 3CO2 + 4H2O

[[category:fuels]]
<table class="small" border="1" width="40%" id="table1">
<tr>
<td width="50%" bgcolor="#FFFFCC">Temperature 
(oF)</td>

<td width="50%" bgcolor="#FFFFCC">Vapor Pressure 
(psig)</td>

</tr>

<tr>
<td>-44 1)</td>

<td>0 </td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>-30</td>

<td>6.8</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>-20</td>

<td>11.5</td>
</tr>

<tr>

<td>-10</td>

<td>17.5</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>0</td>

<td>24.5</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>10</td>

<td>34</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>20</td>

<td>42</td>

</tr>

<tr>
<td>30</td>

<td>53</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>40</td>

<td>65</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>50</td>

<td>78</td>
</tr>

<tr>

<td>60</td>

<td>93</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>70</td>

<td>110</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>80</td>

<td>128</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>90</td>

<td>150</td>

</tr>

<tr>
<td>100</td>

<td>177</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td>110</td>

<td>204</td>
</tr>
</table>
From: engineeringtoolbox.com

File:CC700 5.PNG

2006-11-05T20:14:08Z

SkweezMyCheez:

File:CC700 4.PNG

2006-11-05T20:14:05Z

SkweezMyCheez:

File:CC700 2.PNG

2006-11-05T20:13:58Z

SkweezMyCheez:

File:CC700 3.PNG

2006-11-05T20:13:55Z

SkweezMyCheez:

File:CC700 6.PNG

2006-11-05T20:13:55Z

SkweezMyCheez:

IPLA

2006-11-05T20:11:51Z

SkweezMyCheez:

IPLA - The International Potato Launching Association

Members are mostly located on the forums of www.spudtech.com and www.spudfiles.com

Main Page

2006-11-05T20:10:48Z

SkweezMyCheez: /* The Spudding Handbook */

[[Image:Cannon.jpg|frame|An Advanced Combustion Cannon]]

=== The Spudding Handbook ===
Provided By The Users of [http://www.spudfiles.com SpudFiles]
----

[[What is a spudgun?]]

[[Combustion cannon]]s

[[Pneumatic cannon]]s

[[Hybrid cannon]]s

[[BB machine gun]]s

[[Cannon construction]]

[[Launcher configuration]]

[[Computer Applications]]

[[IPLA]]

[[Safety]]

[[Legal issues]]

[[History]]

This website is here to teach you about potato guns, also called spudguns, spudzookas, and spud chuckers. So far there are pneumatic, combustion, hybrid, and BB type cannons/launchers. Here you will learn all about spud safety, how to make things like breech loaders and what types of fuel to use in your spud gun (like propane, butane, hairspray, rightguard, etc.). You will learn the good and bad types of ammo to use as well as learn the best types of ignition (like stunguns, flint ignitors, BBQ ignitors, etc.) and how legal your cannon is. You just may learn how to get something totally free. You will learn about ABS and PVC pipe and how to correctly mount a pressure gauge into your cannon. You will learn all about the different kinds of valves and how to use them. (sprinkler valves, diaphragm valves, pistons, etc.) You will learn how to make a hybrid and a pneumatic/combustion cannon. You can even learn about strafers and submachine BB guns! Above all you will be able to find instructions on how to build things that you will love for years to come. All of this is totally free so be happy and get on to registering and posting!

-PCGUY (Kyle), maker of SpudFiles

==External links==

*[http://www.bcvids.com BCVids (aka Utopia), video tutorials (in part by PCGUY)]
*[http://www.bavetta.com/aircannon.html Air Cannon Barrel Length Numerical Analysis]
*[http://www.thehalls-in-bfe.com/GGDT Gas Gun Design Tool, simulation program for pneumatic guns]
*[http://www.spudfiles.com/Other/are_they_legal.php ATF Correspondence concerning spud guns]
*[http://www.spudfiles.com Spud Files (aka The Spud Cannon Database)]
*[http://www.spudtech.com Great source of spudgun information]

File:CC700.PNG

2006-11-05T19:51:10Z

SkweezMyCheez: The CC700. A combustion cannon having a chamber vol. of approx. 700ml Model made using Rhino3d and a part library.

The CC700. A combustion cannon having a chamber vol. of approx. 700ml
Model made using Rhino3d and a part library.

Cannon construction

2006-11-05T16:12:11Z

SkweezMyCheez:

It is important to construct your launchers with care. This includes:

* Using pressure rated (NSF-PW or NSF-61) fittings and pipe, especialy in a [[pneumatic cannon]].
* [[Solvent welding]] [http://www.burntlatke.com/weld.html correctly]
* Using pipe of the proper pressure rating, eg. sch 80 in a [[Hybrid Cannon]].
* Only [[tapping|tap]] through a double layer of pipe where the pipe and a fitting is joined(for bolts, pressure gauges) .

Under no circumstances WHAT SO EVER should you use [[cell-core]] or unsleeved thinwall [[PVC]] pipe.

You may also want to make a design of your cannon first. Sketches and dimensional drawings are both very helpful. You may find out ahead of time that your design will not work, saving precious money. [[3d models]] are some of the most effective visual representations. A limited library of parts (~115) for potato gun construction is currently completed and will be available soon.

See also: [[:Category:Construction materials]], [[:Category:Construction methods]]