Is nitromethane an explosive?

Is nitromethane an explosive?

Nitromethane is a more energetic high explosive than TNT, although TNT has a higher velocity of detonation and shattering power against hard targets. Nitromethane is oxygen poor, but when mixed with ammonium nitrate can be extremely lethal, such as in the bombing of the Alfred P.

What was nitromethane originally used for?

Reputedly the first to use nitro as a fuel were model tether-car racers; the current descendents exceed 200 mph, circling a pole on a string.

How much is a drum of nitromethane?

At the end of the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Series season it cost $1,195 for a 42-gallon drum of nitromethane. During the season-opening Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., a 42-gallon drum of nitromethane cost $1,428.

What happens if I put nitromethane in my car?

The big advantage of nitromethane is that you can get a lot more power from each explosion inside the engine. Pound for pound, nitromethane is less energetic than gasoline, but you can burn a lot more nitromethane in a cylinder. The net result is more power per stroke.

Can I add nitromethane to my gas?

While nitromethane (CH3NO2) does not mix with gasoline, nitropropane (C3H7NO2) does. According to Dr. Hill, “Mix about 10 to 20 percent nitropropane with good gasoline and you make some power!” It was that line that inspired me to find out just what this stuff was worth.

Can you mix nitropropane with gasoline?

Oxygenated Fuels Another oxygenate that can be mixed with gasoline to increase power is nitropropane. It is similar to nitromethane in that it contains its own oxygen to help the fuel blend produce more power.

How do you get nitromethane?

Nitromethane is produced industrially by combining propane and nitric acid in the gas phase at 350–450 °C (662–842 °F). This exothermic reaction produces the four industrially significant nitroalkanes: nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane.

How much horsepower does nitromethane add?

With nitromethane, you only need 1.7 pounds of air. Drag racing motors are big, with an average engine displacement of 8.9 liters. When supercharged, they can produce about 6,000 horsepower.