Turtle

I was wondering. The people I asked looked at me like I was crazy, but they still could not answer the question. Why can't you use 100% O2 (not nitrous) as a supplemental power adder? I'm talking about medical grade O2. Due to the fact that regular atmosphere is only 21% (oxegon) I was thinking that you could bolster this with an injector system to possibly bring up the percentage thus allowing you to burn more fuel. Would it run too hot or would it be counterproductive too do this due to the differences in fuel consumption? If so, then why does NOS work when you are essentially doing the same thing. I am not talking about displacement, just changing the percentages. As you can see, I am not a chemistry major. I'm sure there is a really good reason that this is not the way it's done, I am just curious why. If anyone knows please tell me. Thanks.

mdvaldosta

Well first theirs the safety concerns when dealing with compressed oxygen (n20 doesnt realease the oxygen until over 500 degrees of heat), secondly the nitrous in the n20 setup is kind of an octane booster, slowing the flamefront. I'd imagine if you tried straight oxygen the flamefront would turn into kind of a cutting torch and demolish your engine internals - that parts just speculation though. Either way N20 is safe and straight oxygen isnt.

STKClutch

Yeah what he said ^^^^^^^

Turtle

Yeah, that's kinda what I figured. I was just curious. I was thinking that you might be creating something of an acetelyne torch. I had hoped that I was wrong though. Thanks!