Re: Vapor lock

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/7/9 10:12:36

I'm wondering if an electric hot plate set up OUTside and 50 feet away from everything would work???? I could just use a rather large pot to be sure the hotplate coil is well covered and not exposed.

NO, don't do it yourself, it can be dangerous!! Gasoline has a very low flash point. Why not talk to a high school chemistry teacher and have it done in a school under supervision with the right equipment. Besides, they'd probably love to have the little project.

Boiling point of ethyl alcohol is 78.4 centigrade, or about 172 fahrenheit. It has a single, sharp boiling point because it is a single chemical compound. Merck's index gives the following for commercial gasoline circa 1976. Initial boiling point 39 deg. C.; after 10% has been distilled off, about 60 deg. C.; after 50%, about 110 deg. C.; after 90%, about 170 deg C., with a final boiling point of about 204 deg. C.

I'm really dubious about your theory, but don't let that dissuade you from gathering more facts.