1
$\begingroup$

Waste oil is atomized and combined with air to produce a very high temperature flame capable of melting iron. I was wondering if it's possible to further increase its combustion efficiency by mixing it with an oxidizing agent such as Sodium Perchlorate, Hydrogen Peroxide or some other oxidizer in mixable form.

Conceivably, it could enhance the combustion since it adds more oxygen to the fuel, especially at higher temperatures. At the same time, it could also inhibit the combustion since the additive may absorb energy from the reaction than it produces, since it's already an oxide.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

It is safer to keep the process as simple as possible without the addition of perchlorates or peroxides to the oil. Perchlorates are salts with low solubility in oil; hydrogen peroxide equally is a polar compound with little affinity to form a solution with oil. Thus, the salts could clog the fuel delivery, or in case of $\ce{H2O2}$ simply yield a biphasic liquid mixture if stored in the same container as the fuel. It equally would increase the potential hazard to run such a combustion engine; perchlorates are heat sensitive and could explode when you don't want them to do so. In addition, over time residues of salts and salt residues facilitate corrosion (already a problem for the transportation of crude oil); here, the elevated temperatures could amplify the problem e.g., at the burner's nozzle, or as deposits in the fire box.

Thus, stay with the delivery of liquid oil and air. If your are lucky in terms of viscosity of the oil, you still may obtain an aerosol but not the fine mist of air and fuel as characteristic for Otto engines, slow motion at 2:56 min onward). More often, however, similar to oil driven heaters, you will rely on special burners running which bring pressurized air via fans into contact with a fine film of oil:

enter image description here

(credit)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ If additives are acceptable (and especially if the viscosity of the waste oil is high), a low viscosity hydrocarbon, richer in hydrogen, could boost the flame temperature. This could be adjusted so that the waste oil is reduced until economics is optimized. And, of course, the best low viscosity hydrocarbon would be methane. $\endgroup$
    – James Gaidis
    Commented Apr 12, 2021 at 16:14

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.