Acetylene powered engines

[Elite Engineer]

Instead of using gasoline to fuel engines, what if acetylene were used as an alternative to gasoline. It has more energy per

 

mole, and would only require compression to combust eliminating spark plugs. If not put to commercial use, could it still be

 

made?

 

~EE

[Sensei]

Acetylene is unstable gas.

1 kg is taking 1 m^3 of space at normal temperature and pressure (water has 1000 times more density).

 

Gasoline is liquid.

Therefor it's easy to transport and easy to make tank etc. etc.

 

Maybe you thought about acetone?

[Elite Engineer]

Maybe you thought about acetone?

naw, definietly acetylene. I do know it can be either mixed or converted to acetone for when putting under harsh pressure.

[Fuzzwood]

No, no it can't.

[John Cuthber]

No, no it can't.

What's your second guess?

http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/acetylene-engine-zmaz80mazraw.aspx#axzz2lr8tpn23

http://jjmie.hu.edu.jo/files/v3n2/6.pdf

I wouldn't choose to do it, the stuff's dangerous as hell, but it can be done.

[Moontanman]

I remember using a "carbide" lantern when I was a kid, it used some sort of granular powder (CaC2) that when exposed to water it releases acetylene gas...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbide_lamp

 

I'm not sure if the energy density of this powder is enough to run a car for a reasonable distance...

[Sensei]

CaC2 + H2O -> CaO + C2H2

 

CaO + H2O -> Ca(OH)2

 

C2H2 + 5O -> 2 CO2 + H2O (burning acetylene in chamber)

 

Carbide cost 3.25 usd per 1 kg, water is for free.

1 kg of carbide will produce 406 grams of acetylene (so it's 406-500 L of gas), it will burn to carbon dioxide and water, but there will remain CaO and Ca(OH)2, which somebody will have to pomp out of car..

 

From economical point of view, it's not practical.

It's more expensive fuel than gasoline, and after using carbide, there are remains, that somebody has to get rid of.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Sensei

[Enthalpy]

Because acetylene contains less hydrogen, the heat of combustion per kg is not substantially better for acetylene than gasoline: 48.3MJ/mol instead of 45. Adding to all other drawbacks like boom.