[Stoves] Re Alexis Belonio article

[David G. LeVine]

At 11:46 AM 4/2/2007, you wrote:
>What is the hydrogen gas released from?  The water?
>
>While I understand the idea principle, I have not actually seen something
>explaining how the water breaks down in a flame into hydrogen and oxygen and
>then recombines either immediately or at a different place in the fire.  I
>agree the flame has an unusual colour, but can you tell me anything about
>the idea that the injection of steam into what appears to be an ordinary
>flame causes the H2O to break down and reform?
>
>It would be helpful if someone could tell us all what the spectrum of the
>flame indicates about what is happening inside it.  Why is it pink?  Is that
>the colour of superheated steam? It is the colour of a blue flame that has
>been cooled by water vapour?
>
>I am asking these questions because it seems to me that there are two
>possiblities about the role of steam in the flame: providing hydrogen, which
>seems unlikely, or reacting (as H2O) with other things.  Water is a pretty
>reactive molecule and when it is really hot perhaps it is catalysing
>reactions that usually take place but in an alternative way.  Or it is
>burning PICs' that usually escape, or ....??

H2O + energy + C => H2 + CO where the carbon 
comes from the pyrolysized fuel.  This reaction 
requires a very hot pyrolysis zone -- in excess 
of 800º C, some claim in excess of 1000º C!


David G. LeVine
Nashua, NH  03060


-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.24/742 - Release Date: 4/1/2007 8:49 PM