Nitrous Oxide

[Will Hart]

Hi,

As part of a school project I am attempting to make a hybrid rocket. I
plan on using Liquid Nitrous Oxide as my oxidiser but have been
unsuccessful in my attempts to liquefy it. Would anyone be able to
suggest how to do this? So far I have tried compressing it by filling
a canister with Nitrous Oxide gas and forcing compressed air in as
well as placing a canister in a freezer to cool it. Neither of these
appear to work.

Thanks
Will Hart
Marlborough Boys College
Blenheim
NZ

[Bodo Mysliwietz]

Post by Will Hart
Hi,

Hi Will,

Post by Will Hart
As part of a school project I am attempting to make a hybrid rocket.

Crazy school :-)

Post by Will Hart
I
plan on using Liquid Nitrous Oxide as my oxidiser

Dangerous intent,

Post by Will Hart
but have been
unsuccessful in my attempts to liquefy it.

I can imagine that.

Post by Will Hart
Would anyone be able to
suggest how to do this? So far I have tried compressing it by filling
a canister with Nitrous Oxide gas and forcing compressed air in

You know about the vapour pressure of pure liquid N2O at "room"
temperature (20°C)? We just talk about 51 bars (740psi). When diluting
with other gases (here air) you need quite higher pressures.

Post by Will Hart
as
well as placing a canister in a freezer to cool it. Neither of these
appear to work.

With a home freezer? Not really possible. Your project sounds quite
interresting but it seems that you are not well prepared. The boiling
point of pure N2O at atmosphiric pressure is -88 °C. That's much less
then freezers for privat purposes.

What is the source of your N2O? Have you made it by your own in a
chemical way?