I am impressed with all the responces to this, in my opinion N20 is just what that means 2 parts Nitrogen(I think I'd have to look at my Bottles) and one part Oxygen, the nytrogen is enert, means it doesn't burn, the oxygen is just that, It does not burn without a fuel, the benifiet of N2o is that its real cold, this by itself will slow the burn a little because of the nitrogen, the oxygen helps the burn because it is air, pure air if you will, I am in no way an expert at this but I to have been using n2o for years ...
In preface, my intent here is not to offend anyone.
Just trying to pass on what I know (or somewhat remember). If I'm wrong, *do* correct me! I may well be mis-remembering some of the terms... .
Chemically, N2O is di-nitrogen oxide, a compound. It isn't 2/3 N2 and 1/6 O2 (yes, oxygen in it's natural free state is O2). So your tank of N2O is a tank full of a single compound.
Warning: the following is what I *think* happens. I'm relying on what I learned of chemistry (basic and organic) some 25 years ago)!
I don't know how N2O works to increase power. But I would suspect that the molecular bond between the nitrogen and oxygen is weak, and under heat and compression, the bonds are likely to split, yielding single nitrogen atoms and single oxygen atoms. The single oxygen atoms are, basically, desperate to bond with anything, and hydrogen and carbon are the best candidates, thus fuel burns better. (Actually, the single oxygen atoms are ions, as they are short one or two electrons; this is why the natural state for oxygen is O2. )
However, the single nitrogen atoms also want to bond with something, either other nitrogens or free oxygen. Depending on the combustion temperature, two nitrogens will bond with a single oxygen, generating N2O (nitrous oxide). Perhaps one will bond, generating NO (nitric oxide), which is actually an ion, wanting to bond with *something*. To test this, you could install a nitrous system on your vehicle and wander down to your near-by emissions test station and ask them to measure the emission whilst you pump N2O into the intake.
Generally, N2O is a kind of catalyst, enhancing the expected chemical reaction. But it isn't perfect, because it breaks down and doesn't properly reform. A proper catalyst (such as is found in catalytic converters) lends itself to the reaction without permanently breaking down. I think they lend or borrow an electron or two, temporarily bonding with a piece of the decomposing compound (which, in the case of diesel exhaust gasses, is NOx). N2O is used to enhance performance because it is cheap. N2O breaks down to allow the oxygen molecule to bond with a piece of the decomposing hydrocarbon fuel.
As to using O2 in an engine, O2 is very corrosive; it causes darn near everything to 'burn'. Rust is 'burned' iron. Aluminum 'rusts', or oxidates. So does rubber. It's how cutting torches work. Heat the material to be cut hot enough, then pass O2 across it; the material *will* rapidly oxidize (or burn), if that material 'likes' to bond with oxygen.
If one can properly contain the O2, ensure that the on/off valve properly seals, ensure that the hoses and fittings routing it to the destination (the intake manifold) are well sealed, ensure that no O2 sources, piping or mechanical controls are located in a closed space, one *could* inject a small-ish amount into the intake to enhance combustion. But one would be doing this at her (or her, to be fair) own risk. And there's no guarantee that the inside of the intake manifold and ports won't severely rust. You *really* don't want iron oxide particles running through your cylinder and turbo; you think silicates cause metal wear? Run some rust through!
And, finally, nitrogen is not inert. Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon are the inert gases
(found at the right edge of the periodic table); they don't really like to bond with anything, as they have about the best balance of electrons, protons and neutrons. All oher elements generally prefer to bond with *something*.
Now I'll step down and let the retired chemistry professors correct me. Hopefully they will give you time to take some aspirin to relieve the headaches you now have.
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