Coldest flame

[Eurox]

Whats the coldest flame you can get?

[theprof]

Flame temperature depends on the the fuel.

For example, candles made from paraffin wax can burn at a different temperature to those made from other waxes.

[Eurox]

Well could you get a flame that you could keep your hand in?

[TeeGee]

The coldest flame I know of is .... an ex-girlfriend.... positvely icy.

[Titus Aduxas]

Flames are surprisingly complex. Depends where and how you measure. Candles are reckoned to be about 1400 deg C. Air-propane about 1980 deg C.

[theprof]

The "coldest flames" are luminous flames such as candle flames or the yellow flame of a bunsen burner but even they would give you a nasty burn if you kept your hand in the flame. A parrafin wax candle flame has a temperature of around 1400 degrees C.

In a bunsen burner, if the air intake is closed, the flame burns yellow and gives light but a relatively small amount of heat although it's still hot enough to burn your skin if your hand lingered in the flame.

If the air intake is fully opened using the collar or needle valve, a blue flame is produced. This is the hottest, most efficient and smokeless flame that can be produced by the bunsen burner. The blue flame would gives you a severe burn in an instant.

[theprof]

Yes, Titus Aduxas, flames are a complex subject.

I know it often surprises people when they're told that a number of academic textbooks have been written on the science of flames. A while back, I left one on the coffee table at home and it soon became a talking point amongst the wife's friends.