Burning coolant fluid

All that has to do with the power train, gearbox, clutch, fuels and lubricants, etc. Generally the mechanical side of Formula One.
NL_Fer
82
Joined: 15 Jun 2014, 09:48

Burning coolant fluid

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With a sharp limit on oil consumption, the tech-heads must be looking for other ways of adding some to the combustion. How about coolant? What is possible to add in the fluid and what could be gained?

Even if a combustable additive is not possible, how about preventing knock or even just cool the charge temperature. Any ideas if such is possible or why not.

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MtthsMlw
1033
Joined: 12 Jul 2017, 18:38
Location: Germany

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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Don't know how you would bring that stuff in to the combustion chamber you can't just add another valve and pump it in there I think.
Engine oil wasn't simply injected in to the cylinder, that was/is rather complex.

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lucafo
2
Joined: 30 Sep 2014, 17:59

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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I was thinking about the white smoke from ferrari. I could see it some times during the german gp again.
The smoke stopped since the begin of the season, but now it looks to be back again.
Maybe they are cooling something else.
The smoke seens to be just below the rear lamp.
Anyone have seen it either?

wuzak
434
Joined: 30 Aug 2011, 03:26

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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That is oil burning on startup.

The plume near the brake light is oil from the crankcase breather.

I can't see how you could introduce coolant to the combustion process in a manner not obviously illegal.

Maritimer
19
Joined: 06 Sep 2017, 21:45
Location: Canada

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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Water soluble oils don't burn very nicely, especially once they're in solution. The vapors can be flammable but I doubt you would get much useful energy from them in an engine. Plus theres the matter of getting your coolant into the cylinder without there being potential for the engine to pump gases into the water jacket. Probably not a path worth going down.

roon
412
Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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Incidental leakage of non-fuel and combustion air fluids into the intake plenum is permitted. Whatever that means. "Oh, yeah, incidentally we're leaking 40hp worth of steam through the turbine! Oops!" :lol: But seriously, why not? I commend the OP's suggestion.

AJI
AJI
27
Joined: 22 Dec 2015, 09:08

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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roon wrote:
27 Jul 2018, 01:43
...we're leaking 40hp worth of steam through the turbine! Oops!" :lol: But seriously, why not? I commend the OP's suggestion.
Indeed, why not!


Image

roon
412
Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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What a strange looking Ferrari.

AJI
AJI
27
Joined: 22 Dec 2015, 09:08

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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roon wrote:
27 Jul 2018, 02:20
What a strange looking Ferrari.
Ironically, it's rumoured that the Stanley Steamer had 38Hp!!!
Perhaps you can re-post your original idea in the Ferrari PU thread? Get everyone thinking about a different approach.

wuzak
434
Joined: 30 Aug 2011, 03:26

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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Maritimer wrote:
27 Jul 2018, 01:10
Water soluble oils don't burn very nicely, especially once they're in solution. The vapors can be flammable but I doubt you would get much useful energy from them in an engine. Plus theres the matter of getting your coolant into the cylinder without there being potential for the engine to pump gases into the water jacket. Probably not a path worth going down.
I don't think you'd use coolant for combustion, as such, but to provide an anti-detonation effect.

But since it could not enter the compressor inlet legally, and any leakage would probably cause problems with lubrication, I think it is highly unlikely.

NL_Fer
82
Joined: 15 Jun 2014, 09:48

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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What if we use the intercooler and its fluid? A little engineered leak in the radiator, only to start spilling if the pressure is increased?

roon
412
Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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Yeah. Only about 28k microtube seals to ensure aren't leaking. 8)

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strad
117
Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 01:57

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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I don't think you'd use coolant for combustion, as such, but to provide an anti-detonation effect.
At one time they tried water injection in high performance drag type engines but that was an injection system similar to nitrous and would be very obvious. Also I assume they use some trick water wetter that wouldn't be good for the internals.
To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster.”
Sir Stirling Moss

Maritimer
19
Joined: 06 Sep 2017, 21:45
Location: Canada

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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strad wrote:
27 Jul 2018, 19:25
I don't think you'd use coolant for combustion, as such, but to provide an anti-detonation effect.
At one time they tried water injection in high performance drag type engines but that was an injection system similar to nitrous and would be very obvious. Also I assume they use some trick water wetter that wouldn't be good for the internals.
Water and methanol is the standard mix. They used it in F1 in the 80s when the cars ran on toluene, tons of people use it in drag racing now. Been banned in all major racing series for quite a while though.

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strad
117
Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 01:57

Re: Burning coolant fluid

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Thanks Maritimer;
As an old time drag racer I am aware of the mixing of alcohol and water. However there has been the use of straight water to cool things as well. But you are correct that drag racers often used a mixture. As I said though it usually required plumbing that scrutneering would spot.
Of course the guys in F1 are pretty sharp on hiding things but I doubt they are doing it. What is your opinion?
To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster.”
Sir Stirling Moss