9.9.1 Nitrous Oxide
Description
This article is from the Gasoline FAQ, by Bruce Hamilton with numerous contributions by others.
9.9.1 Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide ( N2O ) contains 33 vol% of oxygen, consequently the combustion
chamber is filled with less useless nitrogen. It is also metered in as a
liquid, which can cool the incoming charge further, thus effectively
increasing the charge density. With all that oxygen, a lot more fuel can
be squashed into the combustion chamber. The advantage of nitrous oxide is
that it has a flame speed, when burned with hydrocarbon and alcohol fuels,
that can be handled by current IC engines, consequently the power is
delivered in an orderly fashion, but rapidly. The same is not true for
pure oxygen combustion with hydrocarbons, so leave that oxygen cylinder on
the gas axe alone :-). Nitrous oxide has also been readily available at a
reasonable price, and is popular as a fast way to increase power in racing
engines. The following data are for common premixed flames [131].
Temperature Flame Speed
Fuel Oxidant ( C ) ( m/s )
Acetylene Air 2400 1.60 - 2.70
" Nitrous Oxide 2800 2.60
" Oxygen 3140 8.00 - 24.80
Hydrogen Air 2050 3.24 - 4.40
" Nitrous Oxide 2690 3.90
" Oxygen 2660 9.00 - 36.80
Propane Air 1925 0.45
Natural Gas Air 1950 0.39
Nitrous oxide is not yet routinely used on standard vehicles, but the
technology is well understood.
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