[Stoves] Reducing smoke with steam

[Peter Verhaart]

I wonder if there is a chemical reaction, perhaps it is purely physical. 
Increasing the volume and thus increasing the surface area of the plume 
enabling diffusion of enough air to ensure complete combustion.
(See Paul, I changed the subject line and lopped the tail)

Peter Verhaart


IPC wrote:
> Dear Tom
>
> Thanks for your input.  Yes, I know about the phenomenon.  Adding moisture
> does keep down the smoke.  Those gas flares you see at petroleum refineries
> have a constant stream of steam going into the flame for that very purpose.
> At the temperature of the flame, the steam reacts with unburned carbon and
> hydrocarbons and produces carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which then burn
> rapidly once there is enough air.  Blowing a bit of steam into a candle
> flame reduces its luminosity considerably, by the same effect.