Gaz,
Thanks for the info! Lemme see if I understand the crucial bit...
Part of ether dissolves into the oil, and likely also into part of the kerosene: the resulting
volume is less than it would otherwise be. The fraction of ether dissolves like salt or sugar would in water,
into the water without changing the volume? ...until saturation, of course, after which further added volume becomes evident? (Not voicing doubt, just clarifying whether I understand.)
I infer that a high precision
weight scale should then show the full weight of the ether added? (And I ain't got one of those, either.
)
Interesting! Two thoughts occur:
Do commercial model diesel fuel makers blend %s by weight or by end volume? I know most, if not all, USA glow fuel sellers mix components by volume, and I recall no comments about any volume loss with fractions added to reach end volume. Perhaps the methanol, nitromethane and 'castor/or synthetic/or both' fractions don't inter-dissolve?
Were volume loss as large as you indicate with ether/oil and ether/kerosene, I expect glow fuel buyers would complain of being shorted on the nominal volume of their purchase. Practically ALL fuel here is sold is in translucent, I think the term is HDPE, jugs or bottles - such loss would be quite evident.
Separate thought specifically re: diesel blends. Most 'home-brewer' comments seem to mention frequent starting problems compared to commercial fuels. After suggesting making sure of the quality of the kero and the oil, the usual suggestion is to add more ether, right? What disadvantage would adding ether to reach the co-dissolved end volume have, other than the cost of the ether?
I really appreciate adding this concept to my understanding! Thanks, again.
Originally Posted by
qazimoto
I think you mean that a US Quart will fit into a Litre can.
One US Quart = 0.946353 Litres
One Imperial Quart = 1.13652 Litres
If you're concerned about accuracy then it's not a good idea to use a 1000 ml Graduated Cylinder to mix fuel.
Let's say the mix is 20:30:50 known almost universally as "Olly brew".
One procedure is usually to pour (say) 200 ml of oil, then add enough Ether to the 500 ml mark, and then top it up with Kerocene.
I suspect that this is what you're suggesting.
As soon as you pour the Ether in some of the oil will dissolve in it. So you're actually adding more Ether than the recipe requires.
Same with the Kero but probably to a lesser extent.
The accepted routine is this if you're shooting for a 20:30:50 ratio:
Use the Graduated Cylinder to measure each individual component in turn. It's best to measure and pour the Ether or Kero first. Once you're measured pour each into a mixing bottle. If you shake up the latter and pour it back into the Cylinder you'll find you've "lost" about 30 ml. This is normal.