" Old hands "

[Chet K]

exploring the feasibility of a cheap thermal imaging tool for the community

too many times in these forums experimenters are unaware of where the energy has gone [or is hiding] in their devices
having the ability to watch the energy move thru the DUT in real time will be a huge tool for the Bench.

could very easily test Thx1138 hypothesis on his experience with Wax and heat with a thermal imaging tool.

as always in Peter's house [this forum], all will be open source. [will Mirror the build at Stefan's and elsewhere too

we will open another thread for that project .[although all comments welcome here until we do]

on another note ,I am not sure if ethanol has been added to fuels all over the world ,  but here in the US it has [bad for engines]
Mark [slyder] shared this simple method for harvesting ethanol from our fuel,  thereby tremendously increasing its quality

here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1hsaxaMXo

[muDped]

I am not sure if ethanol has been added to fuels all over the world ,  but here in the US it has [bad for engines]

I've always looked at Ethanol as being the near
perfect fuel for engines.  Because it is water
soluble it enables very easy water injection in
order to enhance efficiency.  And it burns very
cleanly.  What could be bad about it?

[Chet K]

muDped
Here is a cheat sheet on ethanol

http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_problems_damage.html

above info aside, the solvent attributes and incompatibility with older engines  [which I happen to find more and more in my life these days]

However , ultimately we all hope to get away from Carbon based Fuels 


thanks for your input.

respectfully
Chet

[Chet K]

Luc shared a quick reproduction of a test he did some time back with  a Toroid
500 or so watts in almost 1500 amps out.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QhKWbC22yY

when I think of all the applications where this could be used !!

I used to sell Oxygen assisted magnesium lances [Bell Labs] one application was to brutally remove seized pins in large equipment.

A tool like this could do that Job like a gentlemen .[perhaps with a bit of Wax ?]

[Grumage]

I you're in any doubt......... Watch this !!   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXEPy6Za6cI

[muDped]

Here is a cheat sheet on ethanol

Link to Ethanol Problems

I agree.  For engines which were not made for
Alcohol there can be problems with deterioration
of certain plastic/rubber areas of the fuel system.

It is possible to "modify" those weak areas in older
engines to resist the potential damaging effects of
Ethanol.  E85 and higher are the best choices for
those who are attracted to Alcohol as an engine fuel.

I'm attracted .

Thanks for the link Chet.

I should add that Acetone is a great additive for
gasoline too.  In fact, it seems to be cheaper than
Denatured Ethanol at the hardware stores.

[Slider2732]

I believe the thinking is also that when the ethanol is removed, it can be reused in hardier machinery. In effect not wasting it. The increased performance of running old engines with clean gasoline being the key area mind you.

Could such a fuel work in some kind of welding torch ?
Mix the ethanol and air like a mini adjustable carb for heat settings.
How about using a simple compressor to both force the flame into a jet and give the air some pressure, making a turbo.
Spin the mixture before exit, shaped like the barrel of a gun and slightly tapering like the exit of a ducted fan jet, for pin sharp precision welding.

[giantkiller]

@Slider2732:
Spin one of these. Just following Shaumberger's suggestions.

[Slider2732]

 

That's some ancient technology if ever there was any...
Some say, the so called ancient Eqyptians walked in on a previous civilizations creations, wiped out in a mega catastrophe. Same thing happened in Peru with the Inca.
Anyway, it must have had a religious ceremonial usage, anything that science can't explain had a religious ceremonial usage lol
I've always thought it was a hubcap, from a 4386BC Lincoln Continental.

[partzman]

That's some ancient technology if ever there was any...
Some say, the so called ancient Eqyptians walked in on a previous civilizations creations, wiped out in a mega catastrophe. Same thing happened in Peru with the Inca.
Anyway, it must have had a religious ceremonial usage, anything that science can't explain had a religious ceremonial usage lol
I've always thought it was a hubcap, from a 4386BC Lincoln Continental.

ROTFLMAO  You get my vote for the most humorous comment of the year . 

Thanks, I needed that!

pm

[Verpies]

What could be bad about it?

Lower energy density:  26.4MJ/kg vs. 46.4MJ/kg for gasoline (petrol).
Higher ignition temperature than gasoline (petrol), leading to more piston erosion
Chemical reactivity with aluminum when hot.

[muDped]

Lower energy density:  26.4MJ/kg vs. 46.4MJ/kg for gasoline (petrol).
Higher ignition temperature than gasoline (petrol), leading to more piston erosion
Chemical reactivity with aluminum when hot.

Good points Verpies.

Using an Alcohol fuel with up to 30% water content
will increase the efficiency and cool the combustion
temperature.  Some say that the maximum water
content should not exceed 20%. 

A lubricating oil formula which includes sufficient
Castor Oil will protectively coat aluminum cylinder
wall/piston surfaces to prevent chemical activity.
Other protective coatings are possible as well.

Engines which burn alcohol fuel should have a
compression ration of at least 8.5:1; higher
compression ratios enable better performance.

The Alcohol Engine

Alcohol as an Engine Fuel

[Duncan]

I have posted this video elsewhere however in its run and historical perception the use of alcohol as a fuel is discussed. It seems 'back in the day' Henry Ford designed his motors to run on either fuel.
Although he had a preference for Alcohol as a fuel .
Tests by various military interests at the time (according to the video) informs that the higher BTU value of Petrol is almost perfectly off set by the higher Compression ratio used for alcohol.
It seems to me that the inference of this video is that if Hemp were allowed as an unfettered  commercial crop and the machinery all ready available used to harvest, then the whole dynamic of energy would be radically altered world wide.-- All those options are all ready there and have been for many years, Its just not happening is it ? -- YET
https://youtu.be/ySnk-f2ThpE
https://youtu.be/YDRP7rv8ZXc
As John Hutchinson's wife dryly observed when he was roughed up and arrested without charge and his property emptied of equipment -  Its down to us (society at large) to alter something, seems we want to sit at the table and eat the pie but do not want to engage with the status quo,  - t'was always thus ?
Kindest regards D