I have a question about fluid mechanics.

[amyrose2712]

I am wondering how the specific gravity of a fragrance oil added to a wax with a known specific gravity will affect the sorptivity of the wick. My assumption is the higher the specific gravity the sorptivity of the wick will decrease therefore increasing the wick size(gauge) would be necessary. What say you smarties?

[pkdu]

2. I say , you are working on Homework for class! :O)

[DocMac]

3. If they are, I wouldn't discourage them.

I think this is a good place to gather good information.

Are going to help or no?

[pkdu]

6. Me either... I love DU , old and new with all its imperfections , was just my dry UK humour

[DocMac]

10. Your humor works for me!

[amyrose2712]

4. I wish I was in class. No, making candles, and I am sure that

the specific gravity can help me. And yes I know the specific gravity of the oils and the wax.

[pkdu]

7. Looks like the equation says V (volume)

V= AS.(Root.of t) where S=Sorptivity , A=area , t=time

So "combined" Sorptivity ( by ratio of volume?) of the oil/wax would increase/decrease Sorptivity versus without fragrance oil ?

[izquierdista]

5. Density should not be a factor

Oils and waxes are generally completely miscible with each other, and once in solution, the specific gravity of the resulting solution is (to a first order approximation) linearly dependent on the fractional composition.

Now if one is preferentially adsorbed by the wick, you may see some separation, a chromatography type effect, but it really depends on how chemically similar they are.

[amyrose2712]

8. You say density should not be a factor in the capillary action of the wick?

I don't know about that. If the fluid is denser it will decrease the cap. action. And yes they are miscible but 1.When adding a 6-10% of a oil of 1.1 specific gravity to a wax wit a specific gravity of .89 how do I determine the new fluid's specific gravity 2.) how do I evaluate how it will affect the capillary action of the wick?

[izquierdista]

9. That's mostly a molecular effect

For 10%, just go with .89 + 0.1*(1.1-.89) = .911 (Linear in the first order approx.)

Capillary action should also be linear in a first order approximation. However, since wicks have cross sectional area, the capillary action may go like the square of the cross sectional area, so if the new mixture is 10% more viscous, you might have to have 10% squared (or 1% more cross sectional area of wick to compensate.

Lemme think about it, it's late.

[amyrose2712]

13. No, I honestly don't have the answer.

Why are they bullshit questions? And just how will NOT asking questions get me to the correct answer? I am somewhat knowledgeable on the subject but I am having a very hard time reconciling it in my head. Sometimes the hardest part is determining the correct question to ask. And the give and take sometimes will get one to that question. I really don't understand why in the hell you are being pissy to me. I came here because when I am stumped, I can always find answers here. I'm sorry that you are misinterpreting my intentions. I guess I am just trying to determine how the specific gravity of the oil effects the sorptivity of the wick. I have an idea how it works, but found some discrepancies so I was questioning my conclusions, and wondering if there was an easier way to think about it. Geesh.

[Javaman]

14. Honestly, what is your goal in being rude?

It seems like a totally reasonable question.

Jeez, some people.

[amyrose2712]

18. Thanks.

[HopeHoops]

15. Equations aside - just make it. I've never had a problem because of that.

Remember when Pringle's cans had an accordian (sp?) paper insert (like 40 years ago)? They made really pretty candles. I added scents of all kinds to candle wax and it always came out just fine. Sometimes empirical evidence trumps calculations. Make a small one as a test case.

[amyrose2712]

16. Thanks. I am. I just like to know the answer.

This isn't imperative for me to make the candle. It is just an observation I am trying to understand.

[amyrose2712]

17. The empirical evidence is inconsistent.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

19. I don't have any answers - sorry

But I love ice candles, and thought I would suggest you make some.

[MineralMan]

20. I'm betting that the addition of the fragrance oil won't make

that much of a difference. You could try a couple of small test candles and see how they perform. I think the same size wick will work just fine.

My candlemaking days are long past, though. I used to make candles at night on a beach near Morro Bay, CA. This particular beach was a gravel beach, with a wonderful mixture of gravels, all graduated by size according to where you were on the beach. I dug holes as molds for the candles, some with three feet made by sticking my finger into the sand, as needed. All the shapes were freeform, and some were quite complex.

When the candles cooled and were removed from their gravelly molds, they had an outer layer of colorful beach gravel. There were even jade pebbles on that beach. Very 1970s, to be sure, but the shapes were very interesting. Most had multiple wicks, depending on the design. I made a few bucks here and there with these, but the best part was sitting on the beach through the night, melting wax over a small campfire, and casting candles all around me in the beach.

A little of the kind herb was also a big plus...

[amyrose2712]

21. You'd be surprise just how much difference it does actually make.

If the goal is to get it just to burn then prob not so much, but to get the most out of the scent and the least amount of wax left behind there is a lot of titrating to be done.

[amyrose2712]

22. Also, very cool candle making experience. That sounds cool as hell. nt