Talk:Nitromethane
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Is it not true that the yellow-white flame seen above the header pipes is actually free hydrogen that has been shorn from the atmospheric water molecules by exposure to the exceedingly high temperature exhaust gases? Is it not also true that nitromethane burns with a greenish-brown flame? DRL - HouTX
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[edit] Anaerobic combustion
I was under the impression that when organic nitro compounds decomposed, the oxygen would be distributed as follows.
- Carbon to form carbon monoxide
- Hydrogen to form water
- Carbon monoxide to form carbon dioxide
(See Balancing Chemical Explosion Equations) If this is true, all H2 would need to be oxidized before CO2 could be formed. The equation for anaerobic combustion should be: 4CH3NO2 → 4CO + 4H2O + 2H2 + 2N2, not 4CH3NO2 → CO2 + 3CO + 3H2O + 3H2 + 2N2.
In response to the above comment, it seems unlikely that atmospheric water would be decomposed. It is more likely that this flame is caused by the combustion of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced from incomplete combustion of the nitromethane. --24.16.148.75 23:49, 12 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Model fuel
I cleaned up the section on model fuel and added some more details, but I suspect that glow fuel really does deserve it's own wikipedia page. Nitromethane is often a component, but it's not usually the main or most important component, even though it's often just called `nitro'. Perhaps someday I'll write one. dougmc 04:55, 23 August 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Distillation
Some more info would be nice regarding distillation of Nitromethane from racing fuel. Given the popularity of the substance in experimental chemistry and the relative danger (formation of azetropes, explosion, etc) of distillation such information might be invaluable and prevent accidental injury.
[edit] Please explain
I think this sentence dow not make sense.
Nitromethane is usually used with rich air/fuel mixtures. This is partly because nitromethane can provide power even in the absence of atmospheric oxygen, and also because nitromethane tends to produce severe knock and pre-ignition. Rich mixtures cause ignition problems and a lower combustion speed.
Why are rich mixtures used if they cause ignition problems?
