From: khartman@vango.fnal.gov
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: Nitrous Oxide
Date: 28 Jan 93 03:02:15 -0600
Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Lab
NNTP-Posting-Host: vango.fnal.gov

In article <C1Jytp.26v@udecc.engr.udayton.edu>, mmaryo@udecc.engr.udayton.edu 
(Michael J Maryo (U)) writes:
> In article <1993Jan26.170218.20566@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> aankrom@nyx.cs.du.edu
> (Anthony Ankrom) writes:
>>In article <1993Jan25.180017.3081@bradford.ac.uk> D.Parson@bradford.ac.uk
>>(D PARSON) writes:
>>>I KNOW this isn't _strictly_ a question about pyrotechnics, (unless it g
>>es
>>>wrong!) but what is the best way to connect a NO2 feed to a car in order
>>>to increase acceleration...
>>>
>>>Of coure, I would NEVER actually think of doing it...  Just curious!
>>>
>>>Thanxx in advance!
>>>
>>
>>Well I know the above will send myriad chemical nit-pickers off, and I'm
>>going off as well... I wouldn't put NO2 through _anything_ I wanted to
>>keep... Now _perhaps_ if I wanted to increase engine performance, I
>>_might_ use N2O. The distinction is critically important. I hope that no
>>dentsist ever confuses the two!  
>> As for actually doing this, I have no idea... 
>>
>>St. Anthony
> 
> 	Hello again!  Lets see here.  I'm not a Chemist OR a Chemical Engr.,
> but I have a few things to add to the NO2 discussion.   
> 	First off, NO2 is used in Auto Racing (as I am an automotive 
> enthusiast).  The NO2 is basically compressed and put into a canister similar
> to a propane tank.  Then the NO2 is hooked up via cables and sent thru a 
> special connection to your carberator, mixed with air and fuel, which causes
> a much better explosion then just fuel/air.  That is how it is used for auto 
> racing.  If you want specifics, call some Hot Rod parts depo and ask.  They
> have kits you can buy.  
> 	Ok, now, actually, if I am not mistaken, NO2 is also used by dentists
> and used in such things as whipped cream canisters.  When I used to work for
> United Dairy farmers, we used a lot of whipped cream, and when the whipped
> cream canisters were gone, there would still be some NO2 left.  We could then
> inhale this stuff and catch a nice buzz off it.  The label on the canister
> specifically said it was "Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)."  N2O is something 
> completely different, and i have no clue what it is used for.
> 	I wouldn't recommend inhaling the NO2 from auto containers, because
> it will cause you to become very sick and cough up blood.  This is because of
> the process used to make the NO2 used in automotive use is not very good.  
> There are a lot of other chemicals in that container other than NO2.  
> 	Any Chemists out there, please make comments if I am incorrect in
> any way!

	O.K., I will. :-)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), is a reddish-brown gas.  It is NOT the same as Nitrous
Oxide (N2O), which is "laughing gas" and is used as a propellent for whipped
cream, and for automotive supercharging.  Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), is a VERY
toxic gas and can easily damage the lungs if inhaled for even a short time.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is used to bleach materials.

	You are probably correct when when you advise about not inhaling the
N2O made for automotive uses, since it is likely to be less pure than the
food grade.  Since you mentioned the use of N2O to catch a "buzz", you might
want to check out alt.drugs, where this topic is discussed all the time.  Also
notice how many people _there_ get N2O and NO2 confused.  

 
> Mike Maryo   mmaryo@udecc.engr.udayton.edu
 
 
Ken