How to make caramel fuel: step by step instruction

Several decades ago, when humanity was delirious with the conquest of space, the fascination with rocket science was rampant. Both schoolchildren and adult men enthusiastically designed models of rockets from improvised materials in garages and kitchens. Now the agiotage has been sleeping a little, but what can be more exciting than launching a flying machine made in the air? How do you make a rocket fly? The most affordable and practical is to use caramel fuel, a mixture of saltpetre and carbohydrate.

What will be required

The set of components is not that great.

1. Sugar or sorbitol is a raw material for caramelization.

2. Saltpetra (you can use different, about this in more detail below).

3. Metal container - usually take conventional cans, although it is preferable to take dishes with thick walls - for more even heating. Better yet - enameled or stainless steel, so that there is no reaction of the solution with the material of the dishes.

4. An electric stove - it is impossible to cook fuel on a gas stove!

5. A newspaper or other paper with good absorbent properties (if your goal is to make not just caramel fuel, but caramel paper). It is also used in rocket engines, impregnating the finished "caramel" and drying (without heating).

6. Protection: glasses and gloves.

7. Ventilation.

Three manufacturing methods

Caramel fuel can be made in different ways. The easiest is to simply mix the ingredients. Another "caramel" is cooked - simply or with evaporation. With conventional mixing, the fuel is poured into a glass jar and shaken several times, then tightly closed to prevent water from soaking. With direct use in rocket engines, this type of fuel must be well sealed, otherwise an explosion is possible.

Brewed, or rather melted caramel fuel at a temperature of 120-145 degrees to complete conversion of sugar and the formation of mass, in a consistency similar to liquid semolina porridge. Pre-grind components are not necessary. It is very important to constantly interfere with it so that air bubbles do not form. Cooking with evaporation means the addition of water and its subsequent evaporation. Disadvantages of this method: in the fuel remains moisture, and this reduces the rate of its burning.

Recipe # 1

Caramel fuel from potassium nitrate (potassium nitrate) is the best option. Ingredients are taken in the following proportions: sugar or sorbitol - 35%; Nitrate - 65%. Saltpeter is dried on a flat wide frying pan about 100-150 degrees for about two hours. Then grind for about 20 seconds - you can use a mortar or coffee grinder.

Put in equal portions, 50 grams each. In order not to bother with chopping sugar, it is better to buy ready-made powdered sugar. For "boiled" caramel fuel, you do not need to grind or dry anything. To enhance efficiency, 1% iron oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ) can be added to the mixture.

Recipe # 2

Caramel fuel from sodium saltpeter. Features of this mixture - it is more hygroscopic. It will take 70% of saltpeter, 30% of sugar and two volumes of water (200%).

Recipe # 3

It is not recommended to use it. This caramel fuel is ammonium nitrate (ammonium nitrate). Why is it better to pay attention to other recipes? Because this is an unstable connection, and when heated, anything can go wrong. As a result, the idea is likely to end in a fire!

In addition, in the production of "caramel" of ammonium nitrate are extremely toxic fumes. Therefore, all recipes using ammonium nitrate contain additional components to convert it into sodium or potassium. The simplest option is sodium. We take 40% of saltpeter, 45% of baking soda and 200% of water. Note the liquid level and evaporate until the smell of ammonia disappears. Then add water to the original level (it was partially evaporated), add 15% sugar and wait for its dissolution.

Catalysts

To increase the efficiency of caramel, various catalysts are added to it. The most popular is iron oxide. Less known is caramel fuel with aluminum. Attention! A mixture of aluminum with nitrates can ignite in the presence of water. Especially dangerous is the presence of any alkaline impurities that may be present in the saltpeter, not sufficiently clean or made independently. Therefore, in the fuel based on nitrates with aluminum, it is necessary to add 0.5-1% of some weak acid as a catalyst, and not the fact that this amount will suffice - all depends on the quality of ammonium nitrate. Bornaya is the best option. Oxalic and acetic are not suitable - aluminum reacts with them. If during the cooking process the mixture gets very hot, foams and emits a sharp smell of ammonia - you need to immediately remove it from the tile and immerse it in water.

In general, experimenting with catalysts is better for experienced rocket builders who have mastered the simplest types of fuel. And to learn chemistry does not hurt: it's easy to use ready-made advice, but much more valuable is the knowledge and understanding of what you are doing and what reactions occur in the mixture.

Aluminum is added to the potassium "caramel". The permissible variations are from 2.5 to 20%. Different amounts give different changes in the burning rate of the fuel. It is recommended to use spherical aluminum ASD-4.

How to stay whole and healthy

The most dangerous thing is to cook caramel fuel by melting sugar and saltpeter, but this option is the most effective one. The container in which the "caramel" is cooked must be perfectly clean - foreign substances can cause fire.

Nearby there should not be sources of open flames - explosions in the kitchen are useless. It is very important to monitor the temperature of the mixture - above 180 degrees it should not be lifted under any circumstances!

When stirring, it is better to use a wooden stick to avoid side reactions. It is necessary to stir very carefully, but evenly: air bubbles in the finished fuel during use lead to an explosion of the rocket. When bottling this fuel into molds, you should also make sure that there are no bubbles. To work it is necessary with an extract or on fresh air, especially it concerns a prescription with an ammonium nitrate.

Do not grind sugar and saltpeter in a coffee grinder together! Grind it separately, mix it, shake it, in a glass bowl.

Beginners should not mess with ammonium nitrate: first try the simplest and safest (based on potassium nitrate) caramel fuel. The manufacture of any homemade fuel must undergo thorough control of the quality of ingredients, temperature, moisture content and with all safety measures!

Where to get the ingredients

Saltpeter is sold in agricultural goods stores and departments for summer residents as a fertilizer. Sorbitol is a sugar substitute for diabetics. Sold, respectively, in the pharmacy. Fe ₂ O ₃ - iron oxide - used to be sold under the name "iron crazy". You can try to do it yourself, having studied the relevant literature. Mineral hematite - this is also iron oxide. Aluminum is sold by chemical manufacturers.