From: jonathon (jemery@execpc.com)
Date: Mon Dec 22 2003 - 06:56:42 PST
>I'd like to see a laboratory experiment involving a hot fuel pump and some
>"exploding" Diesel fuel. How hot do you suppose the pump would have to be to
>make the fuel explode? Ignite? Maybe. Burn? Maybe. Explode? Doubt it.
You might be surprised how high it is.
Flash point of diesel is, as I recall, about 45 deg C (113 deg F) but that
is the temp at which the vapor released from the fuel will burn if there is
an ignition source (spark, flame, etc.), gasoline as I recall is like -45
degF (-50 degF).
The autoignition temperature at standard atmosheric pressure is very high,
I'd guess 1800 degF or so, gasoline is something like 900 to 1200 degF.
Regarding gasoline, it's kind of a moot point anyway because, contrary to
popular belief, the F/A ration in a gas tank is typically to rich for a
detonation to occur. Not sure about diesel, would have to try to find my
old books on the subject. I used to know these things but have forgotten.
later,
je
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat May 07 2005 - 20:26:58 PDT