Geek woman news story of possible interest...

[James Knott]

Christopher Browne wrote:
>> Also: current formulas of jet fuel are designed as to be highly
>> resistant to explosion.
>>     
>
> That seems to fly in the face of the way jet fuel works.  For it to
> function as aircraft fuel, it needs to *cause* explosions, and there's
> no question but that the fuel is an inflammable energy source to add
> to 1/2 mv^2
>   
Fuel is not intended to explode.  Even in piston engines, explosions are
undesirable.  What you want is a fast moving flame front.  If the fuel
exploded quickly, as happens with high explosives, your engine wouldn't
last very long.  With turbine engines you want a steady, continuous
burning, not an explosion.  Back in the days when jet aircraft were
being introduced, one of the selling points was fuel safety.  One
promoter even had a convincing demo.  He'd stand in a puddle of jet fuel
and drop lit matches into it.  He'd then challenge a jet opponent to do
the same with the gasoline fuel used in piston aircraft.  No one
accepted the challenge.  ;-)


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