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Is nitrogen used in hot air balloons?

Updated: 9/19/2023
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13y ago

Best Answer

Likely not.

On first thought, it appears to make sense, because pure nitrogen is not flammable and thus reduces the risk of the hot flame igniting the balloons fabric hull.

But this is not easily feasible, because the flame, if directly heating the balloon filling, needs the airs oxygen content to burn completely.

You could use a premixed-flame burner that mixes air and a combustible gas prior to entering the combustion zone and heating the balloon filling gas. But still, this would require a gas tight balloon hull. And that is not desired in a hot-air type balloon, because thermal expansion and contraction of the balloon gas (air) during each burn/burn-pause cycle causes enormous differences in gas volume and requires a means of pressure-relief (i.e. an opening).

Improved Answer.

Interesting theories but the brief answer is that nitrogen is not used in hot air balloons, although it is sometimes used when it is extremely cold to boost the pressure in the fuel tanks, since the power output of the burners is dependent on the pressure. The burners draw liquid propane so the nitrogen is not drawn into the flame

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13y ago
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Q: Is nitrogen used in hot air balloons?
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