Are there any readily available substances that could be added to water to increase the boiling point to about 120 degC
Many Thanks
Liam Mc
Could you put it under pressure? That would do it, though I expect you've thought of that
John
ETA I expect most additives, the water wouldbe boiled off leaving the additive behind, but I'm not a chemist so I'm only guessing
[Edited on 1/11/08 by mr henderson]
Pressure --- normal radiator 1bar pressure cap raises boiling point to 120c
Antfreeze also increases the boiling point. 50% glyco based antifreeze coolant boils at 108c at normal atmospheric pressure.
i could maybe use a pressure cooker!
thats a good idea.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system3.htm
thanks for the help guys!
You would have to work out how much to add but brake fluid would increase the boiling point
quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjs
You would have to work out how much to add but brake fluid would increase the boiling point
Redline Water Wetter works a treat , also theres some stuff called Radiator Relief although I haven't tried that.
I've used this its great "Redline Water Wetter". When racing my old landrover the radiators become clogged with dirt, shoving this in
definately kept it cooler.
Once an engine gets above around 80 degree's the power starts to drop off, there is no benefit in shoving a really strong cap on the rad if the
ambient engine tempreture is getting to high, you need to stop it boiling in the cylinder head so maybe more flow and a better rad?
Regards Mark
I'm so sad I find this really interesting!!! I would have sworn that adding any impurity to water lowers its boiling point - just as well the
question was answered before me.
Although at the concentrations quoted it is the water that is really diluting the antifreeze and to be fair it is reducing the antifreeze boiling
point.
You have to bear in mind that antifreeze has a lower thermal capacity than water (I think- my confidence has gone here) so although it has a higher
boiling point the heat transfer capiability is lower - in other words the overheating will get worse - possibly.
Why not approach the problem from a different angle? Water has an incredibly high thermal capacity but a poor thermal conductivity. By improving the
thermal conductivity you will increace the overall heat transfer. Most of the barriers to heat transfer are in the boundry layer between the water and
the metal of the block or radiator. This boundry layer is mainly a load of crap - grease, dirt, bubbles - all the stuff that is floating around when
the radiator/engine is built.
Whats good at getting rid of that stuff? Yup dishwashers thats what. Pop a couple of dishwasher tablets in the cooling system and you will be amazed
at the yuck that flushes out - and how much cooler the engine runs. You can leave it in for a few weeks with no harm - it don't bugger the dishes
in the dishwasher does it? But I would not leave it in long term just as a precaution.
I always carry a dishwasher tablet with me to race meetings and its solved a few problems to date.
If you have any doubts what do you think Red Line Water Wetter is? strong detergent with an antifoaming agent and a ferw more chemicals justifying the
advertising claims
Cheers
This is a really interesting thread, its gone way past what i needed to know
My original problem was needing to boil water at 120degC and is actually nothing to do with cars!
[Edited on 1/11/08 by liam.mccaffrey]
OK, then I'll bite.......... why do you need to boil water at 120C?
It's a cooking question, I reckon
John
its a secret
I will reveal in time
no no no. you'll tell us now
i have something i need to melt and persuade SWMBO to let me do it in the kitchen
Candle wax?