[Stoves] Reducing smoke with steam

[Peter Verhaart]

Dear Philip,

If I know my time zones, you must be burning midnight oil, seeing your 
prompt reply.
So according to you, the chemical reaction between steam and fuel only 
takes place after the hydrocarbon has been thermally cracked into soot 
and a lighter hydrocarbons.
I can imagine the addition of steam lowering the temperature inside the 
flame preventing the formation of particulates.

Interesting, all the same.

Regards,

Peter Verhaart


IPC wrote:
> Dear Peter
>
> Thanks for your input.  I think the only point where I would slightly
> disagree is where you say "The chemical reaction only converts combustible
> gases into other combustible gases."  
>
> What happens is that the steam reacts with combustible particulates
> ("smoke").  Being particulates, they do not burn rapidly even in the
> presence of oxygen.  So the chemical reaction converts combustible
> particulates into combustible gases. The gases can burn rapidly once there
> is enough oxygen. The net effect is to prevent smoke forming - which is most
> desirable!