APPLICATIONS OF NOS IN AUTOMOBILES

nitrous
Nitrous Oxide Systems

INTRODUCTION
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas and nozz, is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant, slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used as a dissociative anesthetic, oxidizer in rocketry and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines.

Nitous oxide molecule

nitrogen Oxygen

Known as laughing gas,sweet air etc.

HISTORY
A similar basic technique was used during World war II byLuftwaffe aircraft with the GM-1 system to maintain the power output of aircraft engines when at high altitude where the oxygen content is lower. Accordingly, it was only used by specialized planes like highaltitude reconnaissance aircraft, high-speed bombers and highaltitude interceptors.

PRINCIPLE
 The objective of nitrous oxide is to make more horsepower.  Nitrous oxide comprises one-part oxygen and two-part nitrogen. This has a much higher percentage of oxygen than that found in the atmosphere and, because of this the additional oxygen being forced into the combustion chamber provides more potential power.  The additional power cannot be obtained safely without enriching the amount of fuel in the combustion chamber.  Nitrous oxide also cools the intake temperature by 60 from 75 degrees Fahrenheit and every 10 degrees Fahrenheit reduction in temperature gives you about 1% horsepower gains, you get another 6-7% horsepower gains from the cooling effect.

Nitrous oxide cylinder

WORKING OF NOS
 The internal-combustion engine is basically a large air pump and its ability to pump air is one of the factors, which determine how much power it can produce. Air contains oxygen and by drawing more oxygen into the combustion chamber, more power will be produced. In order to achieve efficient combustion, the air needs to be mixed with fuel in the correct ratio. The stochiometric (chemically correct) ratio is for basic gasoline is 14.7 parts air to 1 part of fuel.  Greater quantities of oxygen can be drawn into the combustion chamber by simply introducing nitrous oxide. By weight, Nitrous contains 36% oxygen while air has only 23%. A charge of nitrous oxide is capable of burning much more fuel than the equivalent amount of air.

 Because nitrous is more oxygen-rich than air, the recommended air fuel ratio becomes 9.5 parts of nitrous to 1 part of fuel (9.5:1). That means when oxygen-rich nitrous is introduced additional fuel must also be supplied in order to maintain the optimum ratio Without the additional fuel the mixture would become dangerously lean - circumstances that will almost always lead to severe and expensive damage of engine parts.

NITROUS STORAGE
 For racing purposes, nitrous oxide is usually contained in an aluminium cylinder; available in a variety of sizes ranging from 2.5 lbs to 20 lbs.  While retained in the cylinder the nitrous is in a liquid form and held under high pressure. When it is released from the cylinder into the intake tract its physical state changes from a liquid to a gas.  This transformation occurs as the nitrous is released from an area of extreme pressure (the aluminium cylinders are pressurized to approximately 1000 P.S.I.) into the vacuum of the intake manifold. This change in state is usually referred to as the nitrous boiling.

Different types of nitrous oxide cylinders

TYPES OF NITROUS SYSTEMS Ther e are two main categories of nitrous systems:dry & wet. There are 4 main sub types of wet system: single point, direct port, plate, and plenum bar. DRY SYSTEM  The N2O is injected into dry air (without fuel) upstream in the manifold and it is then mixed with fuel at the injectors. The extra fuel required to maintain the burn balance from Lean to Rich is delivered by the injectors. The primary part of the intake is kept dry of fuel. WET SYSTEM  The fuel and Nitrous are mixed and introduced together to the primary part of the intake. This system produces slightly more power than dry but cannot be applied to an engine with a dry intake typically most fuel injected engines.

PLENUM BAR SYSTEM These are spraybars that are installed inside of the plenums of the intake manifold. Plenum bar systems are usually used in conjunction with direct port systems in multi-stage nitrous systems. PROPANE or CNG It is possible to combine the use of nitrous with a gaseous fuel such as propane or compressed natural gas. This has the advantage of being a dry system and yet still maintaining proper air/fuel mixture. Such a system requires exact choice of jet sizes and gas pressure regulation to provide a consistent pressure to the jets. Better air/fuel mixing and distribution and less risk of knocking due to the increased octane of propane and CNG.

RELIABILITY CONCERNS OF NOS

 One of the most important aspects of keeping an engine healthy when using nitrous oxide is to ensure it operates at the proper air/fuel ratio.  Good optimisation of enrichment fuel is essential otherwise the fuel can 'drop out' and puddle in the intake tract, potentially causing a backfire. With a properly designed nitrous injector and correct placement of the nozzle (not too far from the intake entry point and away from any abrupt bends and restrictions in the intake tract) backfires can be avoided.  Ignition timing must also be watched closely when using nitrous oxide. It is said that for every 50 horsepower of nitrous used, two degrees of timing must be taken out.  An engine with components not able to cope with the increased stress imposed by the use of nitrous systems can experience major engine damage, such as cracked or destroyed pistons, connecting rods, or crankshafts.

A piston which was cracked due to nitrous use.

Advantages


     

Nitrous oxide offers more power-per-dollar than all known alternatives. It has appreciably more power than a turbocharger NOS provide instant power when its needed. Tuning with nitrous also provides the potential to increase power By purchasing an adjustable kit, more power can be added. Installing a nitrous system is reasonably straight forward, when compared to other horsepower improving modifications. The system can always be transferred from vehicle to vehicle. Nitrous oxide system can be easily replaced.

Disadvantages


    

If a nitrous bottle is overheated or heated too quickly, a catastrophic explosion can occur. Liquid nitrous will cause severe and permanent frostbite damage to skin. Inhalation of nitrous oxide can cause suffocation and immediate death. The nitrous system is designed to operate at 1100 psi and exceeding that pressure can cause the engine to become too lean and cause extensive engine damage. If a stock fuel system cannot supply enough fuel to the engine, the mixture will become too lean and severe engine damage will occur. Activating the nitrous oxide system may cause an explosion on engine start-up.

OTHER APPLICATIONS
Rocket motors

 Nitrous oxide can be used as an oxidizer in a rocket motor. This has the advantages over other oxidizers that it is nontoxic and, due to its stability at room temperature, easy to store and relatively safe to carry on a flight.
In medicine

 Nitrous oxide can also be used to dull the sensation of pain, even if the inhaler were still semi-conscious, and so it came into use as an anesthetic, particularly by dentists, who do not typically have access to the services of an anesthesiologist and who may benefit from a patient who can respond to verbal commands.

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