SpudFiles

sandman wrote:i dont know how many joules are in the rocket ignitors but it is obviously enough to ignite sugar and potassium nitrate,

Unless you're referencing some other "improvisations" I feel compelled to point out that Estes motors use Black Powder, not sugar / potassium nitrate.

As for the igniters themselves. Typically something like that would be a mixture of FFFF BP and dextrin over a nichrome wire.

Black power engines should only be staged motors, where they are stacked on top of each other. But, then again its been a while launched a rocket (i really need to finish the one i started )


Edit:D hall you are correct, i was thinking of the sugar shot to space project, anyway i still think that a rocket ignitor would set off a flour mixture

[quote=]...Unless you're referencing some other "improvisations" I feel compelled to point out that Estes motors use Black Powder, not sugar / potassium nitrate. [/quote]

Ah, I feel compelled to point out it isn't a standard BP either, It's something more hydroscopic (right word?) for safety.

To destroy them, or render safe for disposal, they state to simply soak them in water.
Normal BP could get wet, dry and usable/flammable again.
Someone told me they use maybe sodium nitrate rather than potassium nitrate. But I've no idea. 8)

THUNDERLORD wrote: Ah, I feel compelled to point out it isn't a standard BP either, It's something more hydroscopic (right word?) for safety.

To destroy them, or render safe for disposal, they state to simply soak them in water.
Normal BP could get wet, dry and usable/flammable again.
Someone told me they use maybe sodium nitrate rather than potassium nitrate. But I've no idea. 8)

Any of the various black powders can be deactivated by soaking in water then removing the water mechanically, i.e., you don't let the water dry with the powder. Potasium (or sodium) nitrate is very water soluble and will be removed with the water. The charcoal and sulfur are both insoluble in water and are left behind.

But were drifting into no-no-land.

I discovered how to use cabbage as fuel today!!!

Boil it, then put it in a bowl. with a spoon, eat it. wait 3-4 hours. I definately just shot a potato fueled by a bare-arse fart. yes a fart. from eating cabbage. easier than flour. end of story

LOL daxspudder. You should make a vid of it next time.

i didnt know that cabbage made u fart.

we could do a study on what foods produce the best fuel

I started a thread over on APC a while ago when I was going to make a charcoal powered cannon, and now that I have summer off I might finish it.

These are quite viable fuels if you can ignite them and spread them effectively. We are supposed to stay out of pyro-related things on this forum, but I'll say that the ignition and spreading of the charcoal was going to be done with blackpowder.

If you wanted to push to limit you could use aluminum powder, but you would need a metal cannon for that. The one I have half built is metal, so I could try it if I can make some.