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| randompkguy |
 Posted: 02/10/2010 21:25 PM Post subject: |
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Corporal
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 60
187.15 Spud Bux
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I was reading over this sticky as it is my first time building a hybrid, and I thought I'd like to point out what I think is missing information.
Regarding the chamber pressure method of measuring mixes, you would first calculate the correct amount of propane for say a 10x mix:
Vp = ((100/.958)-100)*10
Vp = 43.84 in^3
to find the pressure in the chamber after adding the propane, you figure out how much volume you are adding, and multiply that percentage by the pressure in the chamber (14.7 psi)
Pp = (43.84/100)*(14.7)
Pp = 6.44 psi
The next step is what is missing. From what I've seen it is assumed that you can now pump up the chamber to 132.3 psi (14.7*9), but this assumption neglects the volume of propane you just added. In order to get the correct mix, you must add in the pressure of the propane, thus upping the pressure to 138.7 psi. I know this is a minor error at small mixes, but with a 10x mix as above, that's over 6 psi.
Just thought I'd clarify, because I know this was bugging me, so it might have confused others as well 
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| 95gtzspec2 |
| Posted: 03/08/2010 18:16 PM Post subject: |
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Private
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
Posts: 4
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i've been planning on building a hybrid for some time and i've been studying on proper fuel then strength of the gun as these are the two most important things ie mainly - PROPER FUEL MIXTURE. in searching the web i've come across this wich i found useful because the write up at the top is awesome and top notch but im not math smart. so i hope this helps out some people as it has me.
Propane Limits of Flammability - The lower and upper limits of flammability are the percentages of propane that must be present in an propane/air mixture. This means that between 2.15 and 9.6% of the total propane/air mixture must be propane in order for it to be combustible. If the mixture is 2% propane and 98% air, there will not be combustion. If the mixture 10% propane and 90% air, combustion will not occur. Any percentage of propane in a propane/air mixture between 2.15% and 9.6% will be sufficient for propane to burn. However, an improper air/gas mixture can produce Carbon Monoxide (CO) that is a deadly product of incomplete combustion
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| ramses |
| Posted: 03/08/2010 21:36 PM Post subject: |
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Major General
Joined: 29 May 2008
Posts: 1519
3981.54 Spud Bux
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| Correction: strength of the gun is the most important aspect of a hybrid. Otherwise it is known as either a pipe bomb, or an accident waiting to happen. Any fuel ratio between the limits will work, but it will be less powerful, which sort of defeats the whole point of hybrids.
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| theBOOM |
| Posted: 03/08/2010 22:20 PM Post subject: |
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Lieutenant Colonel
Joined: 03 Jun 2009
Posts: 400
450.64 Spud Bux
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A bit of topic but I don't think it deserves a whole new thread.
What would be the best way to get the most accurate reading for a small chamber volume.. are the only 2 ways to measuere chamber volume water and sand or something similar? This is crucial beacause my chamber is very small and I need a precise number so I can get the mixes right...
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| Moonbogg |
| Posted: 03/09/2010 1:44 AM Post subject: |
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Major General
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
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| theBOOM wrote: | A bit of topic but I don't think it deserves a whole new thread.
What would be the best way to get the most accurate reading for a small chamber volume.. are the only 2 ways to measuere chamber volume water and sand or something similar? This is crucial beacause my chamber is very small and I need a precise number so I can get the mixes right... |
I have an idea. If it is THAT small, you could make sure it is good and dry, then weigh it. Then fill it with water and weight it again.
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| inonickname |
| Posted: 03/09/2010 5:10 AM Post subject: |
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Major General
Joined: 07 Dec 2008
Posts: 2487
6556.71 Spud Bux
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10 ml Syringe, fill with water. Fill chamber from syringe, not how much is missing. Or use a larger syringe if it's bigger.
On these scales, it's a good idea to use a premix (such as from a venturi setup), then pressurize that. There's a how to use a shock pump for reliable 20x mixes in minis using this.
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| theBOOM |
| Posted: 03/09/2010 16:11 PM Post subject: |
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Lieutenant Colonel
Joined: 03 Jun 2009
Posts: 400
450.64 Spud Bux
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| The only problem is my "main" chamber is a cross made of forged steel... I believe that if I measure the volume with water it might cause oxidation of the cross...I could paint it or something but that would just be too much trouble imo. Is there any way I could go around this without using water yet still getting an accurate result?
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| POLAND_SPUD |
| Posted: 03/09/2010 16:13 PM Post subject: |
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Lieutenant General
Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Posts: 4387
11901.36 Spud Bux
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| hmm... what about other liquids, like for example oil?
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| DR |
| Posted: 03/09/2010 19:32 PM Post subject: |
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2nd Lieutenant
Joined: 08 Oct 2004
Posts: 200
615.39 Spud Bux
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| theBOOM wrote: | | The only problem is my "main" chamber is a cross made of forged steel... I believe that if I measure the volume with water it might cause oxidation of the cross...I could paint it or something but that would just be too much trouble imo. Is there any way I could go around this without using water yet still getting an accurate result? |
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| theBOOM |
| Posted: 03/09/2010 20:14 PM Post subject: |
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Lieutenant Colonel
Joined: 03 Jun 2009
Posts: 400
450.64 Spud Bux
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Thanks Dr that should be easy to work out 
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| randompkguy |
| Posted: 03/25/2010 1:59 AM Post subject: |
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Corporal
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 60
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Sorry to correct the thread again , but there is one more thing I thought I should add: the proper ratio of air to propane is actually 15.6:1, or 93.9% air. In the first post it is listed as 95.8% air which is a bit lean (too much air). The ratio can be calculated using the method detailed on this site: http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical/articles/15235.aspx
and by knowing that C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O + heat.
Also does anyone have any tips for proper fuel MIXING? I've tried fueling using the chamber pressure method (no meter pipe) and have had little success with 2x mixes. I was thinking that maybe adding a venturi to the inlet, or adding the air first might help. Either that or my gauge isn't accurate enough at such low mixes....
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| Crna Legija |
| Posted: 03/25/2010 3:22 AM Post subject: |
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shots shots shots
Joined: 20 Jul 2008
Posts: 1915
1664.80 Spud Bux
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| a fan or put something in the chamber and shake will mix fuel/air
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| SpudBlaster15 |
| Posted: 03/25/2010 4:21 AM Post subject: |
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Hybridian
Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Posts: 2372
295.89 Spud Bux
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| randompkguy wrote: | Sorry to correct the thread again , but there is one more thing I thought I should add: the proper ratio of air to propane is actually 15.6:1, or 93.9% air. In the first post it is listed as 95.8% air which is a bit lean (too much air). The ratio can be calculated using the method detailed on this site: http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical/articles/15235.aspx
and by knowing that C3H8 + 5 O2 → 3 CO2 + 4 H2O + heat. |
It's 3am, and I'm too tired to show you the proper calculation right now, but the math in that article is incorrect; the stoichiometric ratio is indeed 95.8% air to 4.2% propane.
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| DYI |
| Posted: 03/25/2010 14:28 PM Post subject: |
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Rear Brigadier
Joined: 07 Jul 2007
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C3H8 + 5O2 ----> 3CO2 + 4H2O
Meaning that there is five times as much oxygen as there is propane.
Take a sample of air. Its oxygen content is 21%. Imagine that as 21 parts. So, we need 21/5 parts propane, which amounts to 4.2 parts, or 4.2% of the initial air volume added in propane. After that, there are 104.2 parts present, 4.2 of which are propane, so the final mix is 4.2/104.2 = 4.03% propane. This is 95.97% air. Some confusion may arise because the injected propane has 4.2% the volume of the starting air volume, but the final mix consists of 4.03% propane. Either way, whatever method is detailed on that site is inaccurate.
As to fuel mixing, did you try with the proper mix, or the mix that the site told you to use? 6% propane would be more difficult to ignite than a stoichiometric mix. Small chamber dimensions or low gas flow will also contribute to the problem, as will poor ignition placement. With manometric metering, I'd recommend high flow for oxidizer addition after fuel is added, or using a nozzle to increase flow speed (I've not tested this method though).
Fans fare poorly in hybrids - the gases have sufficient density for heat transfer melting plastic parts to be a problem. Chains and such are only feasible for very small launchers, and increase surface area in the chamber for heat loss.
One doesn't need an incredibly accurate gauge for manometric metering to work; a +/- 1% 15psi gauge is a good choice for low mixes. It's easy to calculate the acceptable margin of error for a gauge of given pressure rating based on propane's flammable limits in your oxidizer.
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| ramses |
| Posted: 03/25/2010 15:25 PM Post subject: |
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Major General
Joined: 29 May 2008
Posts: 1519
3981.54 Spud Bux
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I have used a nozzle in my piston hybrid. It works okay, but the ignition placement is terrible. It could be my mix, but bleeding the mix out through the fill valve usually corrects the issue.
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