Fuel Ignition Experiments 1.0

1st & 2nd ignition tests

Fuel 1.0: Potassium Nitrate + Sorbitol + Iron Oxide

Solid fuel combustion was performed using KNO3 (potassium nitrate) and sorbitol as the main fuel and NH4NO3 (ammonium nitrate) as the oxidizer. We made several solid fuel samples with different ratios of the two substances, and found that the fuel ratio provided by the website Tech Ingredients (65 mg of potassium nitrate and 35 mg of solvitol) had the strongest propulsion to mass ratio, so we built our rocket motor based on this ratio. We also added 1 mg of powdered iron III oxide to make the combustion more explosive. After all the fuel was melted and mixed, glycerin was added to increase the liquid's fluidity so that it could be filled without loss. The PVC pipe was fitted with a nozzle made to match the size and filled with the liquid fuel. After drying for 1-2 hours, the propellant was ready. After securing one side of the propellant to a heavy fixture, the device was placed safely in the ground and ignited using a firecracker igniter.