How to make rocket fuel without saltpeter. How do I make rocket engines. Of all the arts

Rocket modellers refer to a classic fuel that consists of 35% sorbitol and 65% potassium nitrate by weight, without any additives. This propellant is quite well studied, has characteristics no worse than black powder, but it is much easier to make than the correct gunpowder.
For the classics, only potassium nitrate is suitable. If you do not find it on sale, you will have to make it yourself from sodium or ammonia and potassium sulfate or chloride. All this is easy to buy in stores,
trading mineral fertilizers. Previously, potash (potassium carbonate) was also sold in photo shops, it is also suitable for obtaining potassium nitrate from ammonium nitrate. When mixing hot saturated solutions of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride, potassium nitrate will immediately precipitate. Homemade saltpeter will have to be cleaned by recrystallization, for this it must be dissolved in a small amount of hot boiled water, filtered through cotton wool and put in the refrigerator. Then drain the solution, dry the saltpeter on a battery, and then in the oven at about 150 ° C for one to two hours. The key here is compliance. temperature regime. With more high temperature saltpeter will melt and become unsuitable for the further process. Sorbitol (sugar substitute] is sold both in pharmacies and grocery supermarkets. The melting point of pure sorbitol is 125 ° C, and at this temperature it can be distinguished from sorbitol monohydrate, which is sometimes also sold under the guise of sorbitol. The monohydrate melts at 84 ° C and not good for fuel.
Despite the frivolous name, caramel rocket fuel is primarily rocket fuel and should be handled with respect. The first and most important safety rule - in any case, do not cook caramel on an open fire! Only an electric stove with a closed heater and a temperature controller. If there is no suitable electric stove, you can use a regular iron, you just need to make a stand that holds it upside down, with the sole up. The three-point setting is great for making caramel.
Do not measure components by eye or by volume - only on the scales. In appearance, heaps of 35 g of sorbitol and 65 g of potassium nitrate are almost the same in volume. And this is to our advantage, since it is easier to mix the fuel. If the saltpeter is large, it will have to be crushed in a mortar or ground in a coffee grinder. But do not overdo it: the crystals should be like fine salt - if you grind saltpeter into dust, it will be difficult to work with fuel, as it will become too viscous. 20 seconds is what you need.
Now you can mix the powders of saltpeter and sorbitol and lay out a layer no more than a centimeter thick in a pan. It is desirable to stir the mixture continuously. For mixing, it is convenient to use a wooden popsicle stick. Gradually, sorbitol will begin to melt, after a while, as it is stirred, the powder will turn into a homogeneous substance, similar to liquid semolina. Part of the saltpeter dissolves in molten sorbite, so the finished fuel remains quite liquid even at 95°C. The fuel should not be overheated, because at 140 ° C the solubility of nitrate increases abruptly and the viscosity of this composition also increases abruptly.
As soon as the last lumps of saltpeter are stirred, the fuel is ready - now it must be poured into the mold. Perfect simplicity! It would be nice to make the engine as simple as possible, and such an option exists - if record parameters are not required, a nozzleless one becomes preferable. It consists only of a case and a charge. Although some of the fuel energy is wasted without a nozzle, by saving the weight of the body and nozzle, more fuel can be poured and the losses can be compensated.
For the case you will need a cardboard tube with a wall thickness of 1-2 mm. Its diameter can be from a centimeter to three, but for the first experiments it is better to take not the smallest, since it is inconvenient to work with small engines - and the fuel solidifies faster, and it is difficult to pack it into a small tube. Its length should be 7-15 times the diameter. It is possible at 20, but it is already very inconvenient to fill in fuel.
You will also need a rod to form a channel in the fuel - in caramel engines, the fuel burns on the surface of the channel, and not from the end of the charge, there is not enough area at the end. And to center the rod, you need a wooden or plastic boss, suitable in diameter for both the cardboard tube and the central rod. The diameter of the channel should be approximately three times smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe.
Inserting the boss into the lower end of the pipe and the rod into it, fill the remaining space with “semolina porridge” from saltpeter and sorbitol. The fuel cools and solidifies, but not completely. From its remains it is necessary to roll up a sample stick - usually the size of a man's little finger. It is used to measure the burning rate of the resulting fuel - for this, it is filmed and the time is recorded on the video. Of course, the length of the stick must be measured before ignition. Normally made sorbitol caramel should burn at a speed of 2.6 to 2.8 mm / s, that is, a stick 5 cm long will burn in 17-19 s.
After about six hours - while the fuel is still soft - you need to remove the boss and rod. It remains to make a plug of epoxy resin where the boss was: stick a circle of adhesive tape on the exposed surface of the fuel to cover the channel, and make a side around the cardboard tube from adhesive tape, then pour it in epoxy resin with hardener. The resin level should be 0.5 cm above the edge of the tube so that the resin is absorbed into the end. Sometimes they do
three or four 3 mm holes in the fuel-free part of the tube to better hold the epoxy plug.
After the glue has hardened, the engine is ready to start. Chinese “electric matches” sold in online stores are great for igniting it, you just need to lengthen the wires and insert the fuse into the engine all the way, to the epoxy plug - if the engine ignites in the middle, it will not give out full thrust.
But, having flown on the "classic", the rocket enthusiast often feels the need to somehow improve it. This is where the invention of different compositions and technologies begins. Magic word"perchlorate" excites the hearts of homemade designers. But it will not work to directly replace potassium nitrate with potassium perchlorate - the fuel will have different characteristics. Without the third component - the catalyst - the composition demonstrates pulsating combustion up to the explosion. And it is dangerous to melt fuel with a catalyst, so you have to use heated vacuum pressing and other exotic things.

A few decades ago, when humanity was raving about space exploration, rocket science was rampant. Both schoolchildren and adult men enthusiastically designed in garages and kitchens from improvised materials. Now the hype has subsided a bit, but what could be more exciting than launching your own made aircraft into the air? How to make a rocket take off? The most accessible and practical is to use caramel fuel, a mixture of saltpeter and carbohydrate.

What will be required

The set of components is not so great.

1. Sugar or sorbitol - raw material for caramelization.

2. Saltpeter (you can use different ones, more on that below).

3. Metal container - most often they take ordinary cans, although it is preferable to take dishes with thick walls - for more uniform heating. Even better - enameled or stainless steel, so that there is no reaction of the solution with the material of the dishes.

4. Electric stove - cook fuel on gas stove it is forbidden!

5. 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, impregnated with ready-made "caramel" and dried (without heating).

6. Protective equipment: goggles and gloves.

7. Ventilation.

Three manufacturing methods

You can make caramel fuel in different ways. The easiest thing is to just mix the ingredients. Another "caramel" is boiled - simply or with evaporation. During normal mixing, the fuel is poured into glass jar and shake several times, then close tightly to prevent water absorption. When used directly in rocket engines, this type of fuel must be well compacted, otherwise an explosion is possible.

Boil, or rather, melt caramel fuel at a temperature of 120-145 degrees until the sugar is completely converted and a mass is formed that is similar in consistency to liquid semolina. It is not necessary to pre-grind the components. It is very important to constantly stir it so that air bubbles do not form. Evaporation cooking involves adding water and then evaporating it. The disadvantages of this method: moisture remains in the fuel, and this reduces the rate of its combustion.

Recipe #1

Caramel fuel from is the best option. The ingredients are taken in the following proportions: sugar or sorbitol - 35%; saltpeter - 65%. Saltpeter is dried in 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.

Lay in equal portions, 50 grams each. In order not to bother with grinding sugar, it is better to buy ready-made powdered sugar. For "boiled" caramel fuel, nothing needs to be ground or dried. To increase efficiency, 1% iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3) can be added to the mixture.

Recipe number 2

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

Recipe number 3

It is not recommended to use it. fuel for (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 manufacture of "caramel" from ammonium nitrate, extremely toxic fumes are released. Therefore, all recipes using ammonium nitrate contain additional components to convert it to sodium or potassium. The easiest option is with sodium. We take 40% saltpeter, 45% baking soda and 200% water. We note the liquid level and evaporate until the smell of ammonia disappears. Then we add water to the original level (it has also partially evaporated), add 15% sugar and wait for it to dissolve.

Catalysts

To increase the effectiveness of "caramel", various catalysts are added to it. The most popular is iron oxide. Less known caramel fuel with aluminum. Attention! A mixture of aluminum and nitrates may ignite in the presence of water. Especially dangerous is the presence of any alkaline impurities that may be present in saltpeter that is not pure enough or made by yourself. Therefore, in a fuel based on nitrates with aluminum as a catalyst, it is necessary to add 0.5-1% of some weak acid, and it is not a fact that this amount is enough - it all depends on the quality of the saltpeter. Boric - the best option. Oxalic and acetic are not suitable - aluminum reacts with them. If during the cooking process the mixture becomes very hot, foams and emits a strong smell of ammonia, you must immediately remove it from the stove and immerse it in water.

In general, it is better for experienced rocket scientists who have mastered the simplest types of fuel to experiment with catalysts. Yes, and it doesn’t hurt to learn chemistry: it’s easy to use ready-made tips, but knowledge and understanding of what you are doing and what reactions occur in the mixture is much more valuable.

Aluminum is added to the potassium caramel. Permissible variations are from 2.5 to 20%. A different amount gives a different change 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 way to prepare caramel fuel is by melting sugar and saltpeter, but this option is also the most effective. The container in which the "caramel" is boiled must be perfectly clean - foreign substances can cause a fire.

There should not be sources of open flame nearby - we don't need explosions in the kitchen. It is very important to monitor the temperature of the mixture - it should not rise above 180 degrees under any circumstances!

When stirring, it is better to use a wooden stick to avoid adverse reactions. It should be mixed very carefully, but evenly: air bubbles in the finished fuel, when used, lead to an explosion of the rocket. When pouring this fuel into molds, you also need to make sure that there are no bubbles. It is necessary to work with a hood or in the fresh air, especially for the recipe with ammonium nitrate.

Do not grind sugar and saltpeter together in a coffee grinder! You need to grind separately, mix, shaking, 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 take place under the most careful control of the quality of ingredients, temperature, moisture content and in compliance with all safety measures!

Where to get the ingredients

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

If it occurred to you to make a rocket with your own hands, then the first problem that you will have to face will be fuel. You can try the easiest way to create it.

What we need:
1. Ammonium nitrate (how to get it - in the next step);
2. Baking soda;
3. Water;
4. Sugar;
5. Bucket;
6. Measuring cup;
7. Newspaper.

Is it dangerous! You do this at your own risk!

Ammonium nitrate (ammonium nitrate) is commonly used in agriculture, as a high nitrogen fertilizer. So, the easiest way to get it is to buy a cold compress. This is such a thing that is applied to the bruised place instead of ice. Open the pack and remove the water from it.

Of course, you can also order saltpeter from some website, but for me, a cold compress seems to be the easiest way.

Using a measuring cup, add 2 cups of ammonium nitrate and 2 cups of baking soda to the bucket. At this stage, it is important to keep the proportions 1:1. Measuring cup sizes may vary slightly, but it is important to use the same cup for all ingredients.

Add 17 measuring cups of water to our mixture. Mix everything together.

Now you need to boil the solution for about 30 minutes.

Attention! You have to boil outside! Ammonia is dangerous if inhaled!

Stir gently while boiling. After 8-10 minutes, gaseous ammonia will begin to be released, after 15 minutes there will be a lot of it, and after about 25-30 minutes the reaction will stop.

After you have done everything, you need to let the mixture cool for 5-7 minutes. Then add one cup of sugar and stir.

Put the newspaper in the solution and let it soak into it for 3-5 minutes. Now let the newspaper dry completely.

All! Rocket fuel received. The newspaper is "solid rocket fuel".

We fold the newspaper, attach it to a stick. And here it is - the rocket of my dreams!

To begin with, I think it would be wise to make a small home-made engine, get used to it so to speak. .Find potassium nitrate, where I don’t know, ammonium and sodium will not work. The spirit writes that they simply sell freely in stores in the Urals. 60% saltpeter and 40% sugar. Make homemade scales from lids, threads and a stick. Weights are copper Soviet coins (1.2.5 kopecks) corresponding to grams. About 10 grams go to the engine. Mix the components by pouring from side to side on a sheet of paper. So. Now you need to heat this economy somewhere up to 150 degrees. In principle, we heated SUCH QUANTITIES simply on an electric stove, but we need equipment. .SUCH THINGS LIKE NOT TO BEND OVER THE MIXTURE AND WORK WITH ALMOST EXTENDED ARMS SHOULD BE AN INSTINCT. better is a frying pan from a children's kitchen set. Today I tried to melt sugar on an inverted iron-melt. In principle, I’m almost sure that the temperature given by the iron is less than the flash point of the mixture. Check your iron, put a match on it, wait 15 minutes, O.K. You need to insert a stick into the nozzle of the engine on a cone - use a wooden children's brush, cutting it so that after it fits snugly in the nozzle, it comes out about 2 cm inward, and rub it with paraffin. the edges become transparent, in general, the resulting glassy mass must be pushed into the sleeve with a wooden stick, you can’t explain this in detail, you have to try it yourself. in the same proportions, but instead of saltpeter, take table salt (Varban’s thought is just five!), Then break the sleeve and see how the charge looks. Are there many potholes and inhomogeneities. nichrome wire nozzle on wires, as in MRD. Good luck!
Only after mastering the manufacture of such engines successfully, we can talk about several large charges, otherwise it’s hard to say that a person hasn’t tried it, believing that the mixture can be poured into the engine (through a funnel). Your injuries will be on my conscience.