Kerosene Burner

Propane is 91800 BTU per gallon and 21600 per pound Fuel Oil is 135425 BTU per gallon and 16960 per pound Gasoline is 110250 BTU per gallon and 20930 per pound

I wish to use a kerosene burner for a very small hang balloon using 1.1 oz ripstop F-111 fabric that is calendered. A subscriber mentioned that about a year ago he read that Cameron said kerosene kills the fabric real fast on a standard hot air balloon, anyone read the article and know if it mentioned if it was attacking the fabric itself or the coating? Urathane coating or silicon oil impregnated?

Kerosene in the northeast costs about 1.50 per gallon and my reason for wishing to use it is not cost related, but tankage related. As you can see from the above data kerosene ( I am assuming that kerosene is very close to fuel oil) has more BTUs per gallon compared to propane. Carrying around small quantities of propane kills the overall weight savings on the BTU per pound equation because of the tankage weight and size. In addition I have a space constraint, that the added BTUs per gallon will help along with as would the diminished internal pressure reqirements of the tank, that would ultimately yield a lighter, smaller and cheaper tank.

I am planning to complete in the near future a small 1 man hang balloon that is to fit (the entire flying machine) into the saddlebags of a BMW R100GS cycle. The sore point is having to carry around on the luggage rack a 2+1/2 gallon propane tank. If I could get away with a 1+1/2 gallon lightweight container of kerosene (ie: insectacide backpack pump it up sprayer) that is a much more better approach in my way of thinking.

I would imagine the total cost of the burner I kinda have in mind will be probably under $150 plus the cost of the backpack sprayer.

As far as safety is concerned, I would feel a bit uncomfortable using gasoline (even though the flash point is above kerosene!) in the event you spilled it or the pilot light failed. However even though kerosene is pretty hard stuff to light if it isn't vaporized, if you were to dreanch the envelope with it and add a flame, it would probably burn even better than soarcoat! I have always had a question unanswered about a prayenmantis eating itself, at which point will it die? Well now I

equilibrium before I lit it, it will be getting lighter whilst consuming itself, and further creating BTUs in the process, at what point will it cease to fly? While I am on a roll (death perhaps) after taking a hot kerosene oil shower (unintentionally of course) how long does it take even after numerous traditional showers before the wife lets you back into the bedroom?

Again any and all input is and will be greatly appriciated.

Ron Parigoris

FWIW, Breitling Orbiter II (not III) used kerosene. I believe they dropped kerosene in favor of propane because the burner technology was more advanced and worth the extra weight of the fuel.