Home-Made Liquid-Fuel Rocket Engine

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and considerations of building a small liquid-fueled rocket engine. Participants explore different fuel and oxidizer combinations, particularly focusing on unleaded gasoline and hydrogen peroxide, as well as the implications for design and safety.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using unleaded gasoline mixed with gas-state oxygen due to its high impulse and availability.
  • Another participant suggests considering hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizer with gasoline, citing its density advantages for fuel tank design.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the project's realism, questioning the technical capability required for handling liquid bipropellant rockets.
  • There are warnings about the dangers of hydrogen peroxide, particularly regarding safety precautions and the need for proper handling.
  • Some participants recommend seeking guidance from experienced individuals or organizations, emphasizing the risks associated with building larger liquid-fueled rockets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of the project, with some supporting the exploration of fuel combinations and others doubting the technical capability required. There is no consensus on the practicality of the proposed rocket engine design.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of safety and the need for expertise in rocket building, indicating that the discussion may lack sufficient technical grounding for larger projects.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in amateur rocketry, propulsion systems, and safety considerations in experimental engineering may find this discussion relevant.

MattRob
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So I'm looking and researching to build a small liquid-fueled rocket engine. So far I think my choice for fuel is definitely unleaded gasoline because of it's high impulse when mixed with Gas-state O2 and how easy it is to obtain.
Previously, I was looking at using Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) for oxidizer and high-grade Kerosene for fuel.
Now I was wondering, I'm speculating on making a rocket for the engine if it goes well, and I was wondering If I could use H202 for oxidizer with Gasoline for fuel. The reason for this is that H202 is so much more dense than air, so the fuel tank could be much smaller and still keep a good mass ratio (R, ratio of fuel mass to rocket mass) (Or I wouldn't have to make the walls thick enough to hold high-pressure O2).

In particular, I was wondering where it would be possible to come up with the numbers, such as the Specific Impulse, burn Temp, burn pressure, etc. of this fuel combination?
 
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I think by now you have realized that this project is not very realistic. I mean, if containing liquid oxygen is a problem for you technically, then no other part of a liquid bipropellent rocket is within your capability.
 
Before you go any further, see if you can find a local chapter of the NAR: http://www.nar.org/

The folks there are who you want to be talking with.
 
Nugatory said:
The folks there are who you want to be talking with.
And a corollary is that an anonymous internet forum like this one is not where you should be getting your guidance. Any rocket bigger than a toy, and any liquid-fueled rocket, is inherently dangerous - you need to find people with experience and learn from them.

This thread is closed, not because there's anything wrong with it, but because we're not set up to offer you the help you need.
 

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