Does my alcohol burner have a problem?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the performance of an alcohol burner using methylated spirits, specifically addressing the color of the flame produced and the burning of the wick. Participants explore the implications of flame color and wick behavior in the context of combustion properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that their alcohol burner produces an orange-yellow flame instead of the expected blue flame associated with ethanol combustion.
  • Another participant suggests that using pure ethanol would result in a blue flame, implying that the presence of impurities in methylated spirits may affect flame color.
  • A question is raised about whether the burning of the wick is a normal occurrence in this context.
  • A later reply affirms that the burning of the wick is indeed normal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some agreement that the flame color and wick burning are related to the type of alcohol used, but the discussion does not reach a consensus on the implications of these observations.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify the specific composition of the methylated spirits or the conditions under which the burner is operated, which may influence the observed flame characteristics.

z.js
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I have an alcohol burner running on methylated spirits(C2H6O) and Wikipedia says that ethanol burns with a blue flame. Why does my burner burn with a orange-yellow flame? and it burns the wick a little as well. :confused:
 
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z.js said:
and it burns the wick a little as well.

That's why you get the orange flame. Take pure spirit in a spoon and light it. You will get a blue flame.
 
z.js said:
and it burns the wick a little as well.

Is this normal?
 
z.js said:
Is this normal?

Yes.
 

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