Mid-Winter Blues

[redboat219]

Might be illegal in your place

https://youtube.com/shorts/EN_tFMjLh40?si=c7KqOoAYWEKAeXlu

[redboat219]

Had the same idea 20 years ago. Tried it with a pen full of baking soda. Squirted some vinegar using a syringe. My reaction produced little gas. Either the amount of reactants were insufficient or expired.

How about using hydrogen peroxide.

[TuptubBuilder]

DISCLAIMER: Chemically propelled projectiles are inherently dangerous. The following is for educational and or entertainment purposes, any attempt to replicate it is done so at your own risk.
This project is a “proof of concept” for a torpedo launch system. It is not configured to fit in any scale boat. I just want to see if it warrants further development.
The concept:

1. Deposit a metered amount of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) into the torpedo.
2. Load and lock the torpedo into the launch tube.
3. Inject a metered amount of cleaning vinegar (acetic acid) via peristaltic pump.
4. Let the reaction “cook” for a few seconds and then release the launch lock.

The reaction byproducts are: water, CO2 and sodium acetate.
The water adds some mass to the propellant and it should behave like a horizontal bottle rocket.
The test device was completed in late September 2025 but then, life got in the way and testing never happened. I have hand launched the torpedo (it’s messy) and it looks promising.
Know Pros: cheap and simple to make and operate, and it’s reusable (number of times TBD).
Known Cons: aside from the potential danger as a KE device, the torpedo becomes a pressure vessel subject to catastrophic failure (think bomb). I haven’t addressed the case for misfires yet.
I hope to post test results in the Spring if it ever thaws out here in the North.