[Stoves] mesh wick 3

[Jigme Rangdrol]

We repeated the experiment with a shorter mesh cage and a better wind 
control and got much better flame.

The class claims that there was indeed blue and green flame. I think 
that the desire for a blue flame may have overshadowed the puzzle at 
that point. I never saw any except a green flame about 10 min into the 
burn. I attributed it to impurities in the charcoal.
The red and yellow flame was clearly concentrated in and around around 
the mesh.
The mesh never got red hot except in small areas.
Even when the bottom layer was fully alight the top mesh did not become 
visibly hotter nor could I see any flame on it.
The flame tended to climb inside the mesh but did not rise above the 
fuel bed inside the mesh for more than a second or so.
The flames climbed highest over the fuel bed and were above the top of 
the can.
As the char started to settle the ash seemed to force the flame to the 
center even more.

There were problems.
There was still a good bit of wind in the shop. The flames were affected 
more than half the time.
The [same old] charcoal needs to be replaced. Still.
I could not keep "little scientists" from experimenting with air flow. 
The other "Adult" was complicit.


We decided the mesh cage needs to be smaller in diameter to increase the 
temperature of the mesh.
It was also suggested the cage be cone shaped to see if the gas is 
really climbing the mesh.
It was suggested that the briquettes be carefully placed in a regular 
pattern with each layer overlapping the last as in stone work and or 
adding more briquettes would up the temperature.


I will make some new cages and try again.