Vacuum?

Boom! The classic potato gun harnesses the combustion of flammable vapor. Show us your combustion spud gun and discuss fuels, ratios, safety, ignition systems, tools, and more.
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jon2680
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Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:49 pm

If I creat a vacuum in my combustion chamber before I fuel my chamber. would I get enough fuel to make a difference?

I've built a launcher that has a full port spring check on the barrel( just after the reducer. Trying to get as much power as possible without using all the vales and burst dics in a hybrid.

Any ideas?
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FiveseveN
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Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:08 pm

You will get more fuel, but without oxygen, it will be all for nothing. Remember, fire needs three things: fuel, oxygen and heat.
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jon2680
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Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:16 pm

all ready though of that, I'm using an oxygen and propane set
Tshylea
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Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:25 pm

Well if you are using oxygen then a vacuum should help. I wouldn't try this in anything but a steel cannon though. The non-explosive gases in air really work to dampen the effect of the propane. Removing these gasses would greatly increase the speed of combustion.
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jon2680
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Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:57 pm

I used stainless steel reinforced sch80 for all of my threaded conections, and the rest is sch80. I have a test area I have set up at my parents acrage. Cement filled cinder block walls ect. We'll see how well the sch80 holds up. If it doesnt I can get stainless pipe and fittings and weld it all.

Cant wait till our new cnc mill and lath shows up. Going to make a solid stainless cannon.
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