car tire as solid fuel?

[RecklesRocketeer]

wouldn't it technically be possible to make solid fuel by freezing a car tire in liquid nitrogen, grind it into a fine powder while it's brittle, then mix it with potassium nitrate and iron oxide? car tires burn for quite a long time so i thought they might burn significantly longer than a regular sugar motor

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Propellant discussions are normally reserved for research section for making solid fuel rocket motors.

However I think you could use a car tire or rubbery chunks of it in a hybrid rocket motor as a fuel source. The oxidizer in a hybrid motor would be nitrous oxide or another kind of pressurized gaseous fluid. It would be a lot easier than trying to chemically extract the tire itself.

 

[MClark]

Would need something to stick it together..
The cost of freezing and grinding would be greater than buying new materials..
M

 

[RecklesRocketeer]

However I think you could use a car tire or rubbery chunks of it in a hybrid rocket motor as a fuel source. The oxidizer in a hybrid motor would be nitrous oxide or another kind of pressurized gaseous fluid. It would be a lot easier than trying to chemically extract the tire itself.

i know it would work in a hybrid motor but i want to make a solid one. i really can't see why it wouldn't work unless maybe if potassium nitrate isn't a suitable oxidizer for such a fuel

 

[Steve Shannon]

Pay attention to what Mark Clark said. It’s that simple.

 

[rharshberger]

Pay attention to what Mark Clark said. It’s that simple.

Besides, car tires aren't just rubber, they are mostly plastic with some rubber, and oil as well among other ingredients. Plus what MClark said...

 

[solid_fuel]

That’s not how I was made!
Also car tires have steel belts and what not. And aren’t exactly the cleanest burning thing you could choose as a fuel.

 

[cerving]

This would be an ideal load for a Jet Hitch... it would give "burning rubber" a new meaning.

 

[prfesser]

That’s not how I was made!
Also car tires have steel belts and what not. And aren’t exactly the cleanest burning thing you could choose as a fuel.

It just occurred to me after reading your post...tires smoke so badly because they have a much higher proportion of carbon to hydrogen than is optimal for a good fuel. (Of course they do, carbon black is the main filler. C'mon, Terry, you're supposed to be a chem prof!) Ideally the fuel should be as high in hydrogen as is practical, for Isp.

And you're right about the steel belts. Companies that rip tires into bits to use as fill for playplaces and whatnot have a heckuva time getting rid of every last bit of steel.

Best -- Terry

 

[tfish]

Chris, There are a bunch of guys who have no clue to what you just "did"..which is a good thing. Now get back to making cool electronic things.

Tony

 

[rharshberger]

Chris, There are a bunch of guys who have no clue to what you just "did"..which is a good thing. Now get back to making cool electronic things.

Tony

This would be an ideal load for a Jet Hitch... it would give "burning rubber" a new meaning.

You two are funny! Somewhere I have some Jet Hitch propaganda saved from the website.

 

[rcktnut]

Natural rubber (rubber bands) would work better, lots of hydrogen to go along with the carbon, but also agree with MClark!!

 

[JDcluster]

Newer tires also incorporate composites as well; carbon fiber and Kevlar.

 

[boatgeek]

Both the original question and the Jet Hitch illustrate the difference between “technically possible” and “a good idea”. There are so many things where those answers are yes and no.