Singlet oxygen in combustion-(Why is it not being used)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential use of singlet oxygen in combustion processes, particularly in the context of automotive applications. Participants explore the efficiency benefits of singlet oxygen in combustion reactions and question its current absence in modern vehicles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that numerous papers suggest singlet oxygen can enhance combustion efficiency and questions why it is not utilized in automobiles.
  • Another participant raises concerns about the economic feasibility of installing a converter for singlet oxygen in cars and whether the energy required for the converter would negatively impact overall performance.
  • Safety issues are also mentioned, with a participant questioning if singlet oxygen could react with diatomic oxygen to produce ozone.
  • There is a clarification regarding the distinction between singlet oxygen and monoatomic oxygen, with one participant asserting that ozone produces singlet oxygen when reacting with organic molecules.
  • A later reply acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the types of oxygen and expresses appreciation for the opportunity to clarify before responding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and safety of using singlet oxygen in combustion, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about economic feasibility, safety concerns, and the technical distinctions between different types of oxygen, which are not fully explored.

hobbs125
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Over the last few days I have been studing combusiton reactions.
I have found numerous papers that all state singlet oxygen can increase the combustion efficiency.

My question is: Why is singlet oxygen not being used in todays automibiles?

It seems to me the only issue would be controlling the rate of singlet oxygen production in changing environments...

Just curious?
 
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Question is if it is economically feasible to install converter in a car, and whether energy consumed by the converter will not lower the total performance.
 
Borek said:
Question is if it is economically feasible to install converter in a car, and whether energy consumed by the converter will not lower the total performance.

Maybe safety is an issue, too. Couldn't singlet oxygen react with diatomic oxygen to form ozone?
 
Are you sure you are not mistaking singlet oxygen for monoatomic oxygen? Quick googling shows that - if anything - it is exactly the opposite, it is ozone that produces single oxygen while reacting with organic molecules.

Besides, the idea is to use the singlet oxygen for combustion, so it shouldn't leave the engine.
 
Borek said:
Are you sure you are not mistaking singlet oxygen for monoatomic oxygen? Quick googling shows that - if anything - it is exactly the opposite, it is ozone that produces single oxygen while reacting with organic molecules.

Besides, the idea is to use the singlet oxygen for combustion, so it shouldn't leave the engine.

Yes, I mistook monotonic oxygen for singlet oxygen.
Sorry. At least, this time, I asked before I answered.
 

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