Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] AIP: di-tert-butylperoxide or DTBP

[Dewey Mason <drmason2001@yahoo.com>]

Hey Guys,
   I hope not to sound the alarm for a falling sky,
but I would like to ask a question. Is this fuel,
which ends in the suffix "peroxide", as volatile as
the HTP recently being discussed here? Would anyone be
interested in the results of an inquiry I just sent to
a friend at UNA here in Huntsville about it? They have
a very highly recommended aerospace and technology
program, so I am hoping she will know something about
this type fuel.
   Anyway, the sky is not yet falling, so those of you
who would rather not hear from me should hopefully be
OK with this.
   Dewey Mason




--- Ian Roxborough <irox@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I was reading Steven S. Zumdahl's book "Chemistry",
> it's
> I US school book I believe.  Anyway, in the chapter
> on thermochemistry I came across this small section
> that seems worth sharing:
> 
> "Anaerobic Engines: Energy without Oxygen
> 
> A fireman frantically tries to rescue a person
> trapped in
> a burning building, but his chainsaw dies from lack
> of oxygen.
> This potential tragedy tragedy could be averted if
> the chainsaw
> were powered by an engine whose fuel did not require
> oxygen - an
> anaerobic engine.  Such an engine has been suggest
> by two
> Canadian scientists* who demonstrated that the
> compound
> (CH3)3COOC(CH3)3, called di-tert-butylperoxide or
> DTBP, will
> decompose exothermically when compressed in the
> cylinder of
> an engine, thus providing energy to run the engine
> without oxygen.
> The decomposition reaction is:
> 
> (CH3)3COOC(CH3)3(g) -> C2H6(g) + 2(CH3)2CO(g)
> 
> Under conditions where oxygen is plentiful (aerobic
> conditions) the
> engine runs normally with the DTBP fuel reacting
> with O2 to produce
> CO2 and H2O.  However, when the oxygen supply is
> severely limited,
> as in the smoke from a fire, the engine continues to
> run (although
> more slowly) from the energy produced by the
> decomposition of DTBP
> described by the above equation.  Thus the DTBP fuel
> would allow a
> chainsaw to be used under the conditions encountered
> at the scene
> of the fire.
> 
> The Canadian scientists have also suggested that
> large anaerobic
> could be developed to power equipment used in mine
> rescues and other
> situations where lack of oxygen would prevent an
> engine with normal
> fuel from operating.
> 
> * H. O. Pritchard and P. Q. E. Clothier, 'Anaerobic
> Operation of an
> Internal Combustion Engine.' J. Chem. Soc., Chem.
> Commun. (1986),
> p.1529"
> 
> I think this or something like it could be of use in
> small subs.
> Has anybody heard of it before?   The next time I'm
> in a City
> with a good university, I'll try and find the
> journal that is
> referenced.
> 
> Ian.
> -- 
> The moon ate the sun on Monday and it was an awsome
> sight to see.


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