I discovered your channel today and watched a number of them. I saw a number of you videos were about adding Aluminum powder to your fuel to increase pressure. While this might work, a safer alternative is iron oxide. If you addressed this in other videos, I am sorry to bring it up. But if memory serves the iron oxide doesn't actually burn, but acts as a catalyst for the sugar KNO reaction. 1-5% is plenty. Please, DO NOT TAKE MY WORD IN PLACE OF DUE DILIGENCE! I recently retired, and have not flown rockets for nearly 50 years. A lot has changed, especially the electronics. I used a mechanical timer to deploy parachutes. OH , iron oxide is used to color cement. Should be readily available at redi-mix company or they'll know where to send you. I live in Wyoming now. Attended U of MI as did my wife. I am planning on getting back into the hobby. Keep up the good work!
I initially used aluminum powder to see if it would work in a sugar motor. To my surprise, it did work to some degree. I may return to aluminum powder someday with a few fresh ideas. Yes, red iron oxide (RIO) will act as a catalyst. It doesn't increase the ISP or add more energy, but it will make the fuel burn faster. Good luck with your new adventures in rocketry, and thanks for the comment!
Bonjour The Rocketeer, j'adore ce que vous faites... cette passion m'a reprise depuis quelques temps, avec le titane la flamme est formidable, très beau vol ! A très bientôt.
@@TheRocketeer sir, I would like to ask you do you think this is possible I just asked chatGPT and it says it is possible to make a high powered Rocket propellent out of sucrose and water as a oxzider can you check it out and tell me your thoughts. thank you in advance. ChatGPT: Creating a solid rocket propellant using a mixture of sucrose (65%) and water (35%) can be compared to more traditional propellants like ALICE (aluminum-ice) because it combines a fuel (sucrose) and an oxidizer (water) to produce thrust through combustion. Here's a detailed explanation of how and why this combination works: Components and Roles Sucrose (Fuel): Sucrose, or table sugar, is a carbohydrate that can serve as an effective fuel. When heated, sucrose decomposes into simpler substances (carbon and hydrogen) and releases energy. Water (Oxidizer Source): Water is typically not a strong oxidizer under normal conditions. However, at high temperatures, water can dissociate into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases. The oxygen released from this dissociation can react with the decomposed products of sucrose, facilitating combustion. Combustion Process Heating and Decomposition: When the mixture is heated, sucrose starts to decompose into carbon, hydrogen, and other compounds. Concurrently, the water heats up, vaporizes, and then dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Oxidation Reaction: The oxygen gas released from the water can then react with the carbon and hydrogen from the decomposed sucrose. This oxidation process releases a significant amount of energy, leading to combustion. Energy Release and Thrust Generation: The combustion reaction produces heat and rapidly expanding gases (mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other byproducts). This rapid expansion of gases generates thrust, propelling the rocket forward. Practical Considerations Proportion Optimization: The specific proportions (65% sucrose and 35% water) are chosen to balance the fuel and oxidizer to ensure efficient combustion. This balance is crucial to achieve the desired thrust without incomplete combustion or excess residue. Ignition: Proper ignition is necessary to initiate the decomposition and dissociation processes. Typically, an external heat source or ignition system is used to start the reaction. Safety: Handling and preparation of such mixtures should be done with caution due to the potential for accidental ignition and combustion. Similarities to ALICE Propellant Fuel-Oxidizer Combination: Both sucrose-water and ALICE propellants rely on a combination of a fuel (sucrose or aluminum) and an oxidizer (water providing oxygen) for combustion. The concept of dissociating water into oxygen and hydrogen is common to both. High-Energy Reactions: Both systems release a significant amount of energy through exothermic reactions, producing thrust. The principles of gas expansion and thrust generation are similar in both propellants. Conclusion The combination of 65% sucrose and 35% water can function as a solid rocket propellant due to the fuel and oxidizer roles of sucrose and water, respectively. The careful balance and preparation of these components ensure efficient combustion and thrust generation, making it a viable alternative to more conventional propellants like ALICE.
Really nice flights. Sugar Titanium made for a good showing. I'm sorry the tree had to die for the hobby, but maybe it can be a part of a future project. 🙂 As a video note, it might be fun to have a Drone at 500' to also watch the launch. I'll volunteer if I am ever in the Michigan area.
Thanks for the positive feedback! Your idea about the drone is awesome, and it would be great to collaborate if you're ever in Michigan. The tree will be cut up and used to boil maple syrup, the owner has a lot of trees tapped.
We fly on a grass field airport, it is active so watch the runways for traffic. Your equipment will be transported out to the flight location, the transport runs all day. We begin flying around 10:30 with setup starting at 9 AM. Our registration and bathroom are located in an office near the parking lot, this will be your first stop. We fly on the third Saturday of the month. We launch small to tall rockets. Keep flights under 1,200 - 1,500 for a simple recovery. We are a family-friendly club with plenty of experienced flyers if you need help.
It was a pleasure meeting you in Clio. I"m glad you were able to get that rocket back - it sure was up a tree. Did the other guy who landed in the trees near you get his back too?
Hello, thanks for your passion and sorry for my "italian english" I want ask you a question, I'm a biginner and actually try only small candy "rocket" with about 40g (0.09lb) with a wooden stick. I decided to try 3 sample with the same cast, 2 of them on a scale and the last for the flight. Every time the samples on the scale give a good thrust (good for me, about 3.3lb) but the last sample doesn't fly, And the stranger think is the difference in thrust time, 3 to 5 second for the good sample and 20 to 30 second for the flight-sample. I had some good and bad flight with other candy rocket, but for a standardization I decide this "three sample mode". it seems to be a difference in thrust for the rocket direction... Have you some ideas? Thank you very much
The direction or orientation should not make much difference. Is the igniter all the way at the top of the motor for the rocket pointing up? If the igniter slips down, that could make a difference. An e-match is a better choice instead of a fuse. Make sure your motors are stored very dry. Placing the desiccant in a sealed bag with the motors will keep moisture out. Good luck!
Envious of that green grass out here in California this summer. Do not miss the rocket eating trees. Question: do you soak the pad area before you launch sparkies or is that hose a contingency when hooking up the igniter?
What mesh of titanium are you using? I use a pretty coarse mesh and it lasts longer and creates a larger spread ruclips.net/user/shorts4iMBUVd56Tk?si=ZQz2qB5efpEF58Z6
I use a -20+80 titanium from Fireworks Cookbook, this was recommended to me by another viewer. What mesh are you using and where did you source it? I do like the longer trails of sparks!
I discovered your channel today and watched a number of them.
I saw a number of you videos were about adding Aluminum powder to your fuel to increase pressure. While this might work, a safer alternative is iron oxide. If you addressed this in other videos, I am sorry to bring it up. But if memory serves the iron oxide doesn't actually burn, but acts as a catalyst for the sugar KNO reaction. 1-5% is plenty.
Please, DO NOT TAKE MY WORD IN PLACE OF DUE DILIGENCE!
I recently retired, and have not flown rockets for nearly 50 years. A lot has changed, especially the electronics. I used a mechanical timer to deploy parachutes.
OH , iron oxide is used to color cement. Should be readily available at redi-mix company or they'll know where to send you.
I live in Wyoming now. Attended U of MI as did my wife. I am planning on getting back into the hobby. Keep up the good work!
I initially used aluminum powder to see if it would work in a sugar motor. To my surprise, it did work to some degree. I may return to aluminum powder someday with a few fresh ideas.
Yes, red iron oxide (RIO) will act as a catalyst. It doesn't increase the ISP or add more energy, but it will make the fuel burn faster.
Good luck with your new adventures in rocketry, and thanks for the comment!
Bonjour The Rocketeer, j'adore ce que vous faites... cette passion m'a reprise depuis quelques temps, avec le titane la flamme est formidable, très beau vol ! A très bientôt.
Grazie per il tuo commento!
@@TheRocketeer sir, I would like to ask you do you think this is possible I just asked chatGPT and it says it is possible to make a high powered Rocket propellent out of sucrose and water as a oxzider can you check it out and tell me your thoughts. thank you in advance.
ChatGPT:
Creating a solid rocket propellant using a mixture of sucrose (65%) and water (35%) can be compared to more traditional propellants like ALICE (aluminum-ice) because it combines a fuel (sucrose) and an oxidizer (water) to produce thrust through combustion. Here's a detailed explanation of how and why this combination works:
Components and Roles
Sucrose (Fuel):
Sucrose, or table sugar, is a carbohydrate that can serve as an effective fuel.
When heated, sucrose decomposes into simpler substances (carbon and hydrogen) and releases energy.
Water (Oxidizer Source):
Water is typically not a strong oxidizer under normal conditions.
However, at high temperatures, water can dissociate into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases.
The oxygen released from this dissociation can react with the decomposed products of sucrose, facilitating combustion.
Combustion Process
Heating and Decomposition:
When the mixture is heated, sucrose starts to decompose into carbon, hydrogen, and other compounds.
Concurrently, the water heats up, vaporizes, and then dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen gases.
Oxidation Reaction:
The oxygen gas released from the water can then react with the carbon and hydrogen from the decomposed sucrose.
This oxidation process releases a significant amount of energy, leading to combustion.
Energy Release and Thrust Generation:
The combustion reaction produces heat and rapidly expanding gases (mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other byproducts).
This rapid expansion of gases generates thrust, propelling the rocket forward.
Practical Considerations
Proportion Optimization:
The specific proportions (65% sucrose and 35% water) are chosen to balance the fuel and oxidizer to ensure efficient combustion.
This balance is crucial to achieve the desired thrust without incomplete combustion or excess residue.
Ignition:
Proper ignition is necessary to initiate the decomposition and dissociation processes.
Typically, an external heat source or ignition system is used to start the reaction.
Safety:
Handling and preparation of such mixtures should be done with caution due to the potential for accidental ignition and combustion.
Similarities to ALICE Propellant
Fuel-Oxidizer Combination:
Both sucrose-water and ALICE propellants rely on a combination of a fuel (sucrose or aluminum) and an oxidizer (water providing oxygen) for combustion.
The concept of dissociating water into oxygen and hydrogen is common to both.
High-Energy Reactions:
Both systems release a significant amount of energy through exothermic reactions, producing thrust.
The principles of gas expansion and thrust generation are similar in both propellants.
Conclusion
The combination of 65% sucrose and 35% water can function as a solid rocket propellant due to the fuel and oxidizer roles of sucrose and water, respectively. The careful balance and preparation of these components ensure efficient combustion and thrust generation, making it a viable alternative to more conventional propellants like ALICE.
Very Nice man
Thanks! It was a fun project.
Really nice flights. Sugar Titanium made for a good showing. I'm sorry the tree had to die for the hobby, but maybe it can be a part of a future project. 🙂
As a video note, it might be fun to have a Drone at 500' to also watch the launch. I'll volunteer if I am ever in the Michigan area.
Thanks for the positive feedback! Your idea about the drone is awesome, and it would be great to collaborate if you're ever in Michigan.
The tree will be cut up and used to boil maple syrup, the owner has a lot of trees tapped.
@@TheRocketeer Then that was one Sweet recovery.
I am actually looking into joining Michigan Team 1. Is there a specific environment, requirements, or traditions in this club I should be aware of?
We fly on a grass field airport, it is active so watch the runways for traffic. Your equipment will be transported out to the flight location, the transport runs all day. We begin flying around 10:30 with setup starting at 9 AM. Our registration and bathroom are located in an office near the parking lot, this will be your first stop. We fly on the third Saturday of the month.
We launch small to tall rockets. Keep flights under 1,200 - 1,500 for a simple recovery. We are a family-friendly club with plenty of experienced flyers if you need help.
@@TheRocketeer thank you.
Wow your motors have so much more jump off the pad than mine.
It must be the pixie dust :)
It was a pleasure meeting you in Clio. I"m glad you were able to get that rocket back - it sure was up a tree.
Did the other guy who landed in the trees near you get his back too?
Unfortunately, we were not able to retrieve the other rocket. See you in Clio soon!
Hello, thanks for your passion and sorry for my "italian english"
I want ask you a question, I'm a biginner and actually try only small candy "rocket" with about 40g (0.09lb) with a wooden stick.
I decided to try 3 sample with the same cast, 2 of them on a scale and the last for the flight. Every time the samples on the scale give a good thrust (good for me, about 3.3lb) but the last sample doesn't fly, And the stranger think is the difference in thrust time, 3 to 5 second for the good sample and 20 to 30 second for the flight-sample.
I had some good and bad flight with other candy rocket, but for a standardization I decide this "three sample mode". it seems to be a difference in thrust for the rocket direction...
Have you some ideas?
Thank you very much
The direction or orientation should not make much difference. Is the igniter all the way at the top of the motor for the rocket pointing up? If the igniter slips down, that could make a difference. An e-match is a better choice instead of a fuse.
Make sure your motors are stored very dry. Placing the desiccant in a sealed bag with the motors will keep moisture out. Good luck!
@@TheRocketeer Thank you, I will try the e-match. Good luck
Envious of that green grass out here in California this summer. Do not miss the rocket eating trees.
Question: do you soak the pad area before you launch sparkies or is that hose a contingency when hooking up the igniter?
It was a precaution for the sparky motor.
Wasn't game to climb the tree I take it?
My tree climbing days ended many years and pounds ago😀
What mesh of titanium are you using? I use a pretty coarse mesh and it lasts longer and creates a larger spread
ruclips.net/user/shorts4iMBUVd56Tk?si=ZQz2qB5efpEF58Z6
I use a -20+80 titanium from Fireworks Cookbook, this was recommended to me by another viewer. What mesh are you using and where did you source it? I do like the longer trails of sparks!
Gg