[Stoves] Reducing smoke with steam

[andrew]

On Wednesday 02 January 2008 00:08, Peter Verhaart wrote:
> 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.

We've discussed this before about soot formation being in an oxygen 
starved area of the secondary burn. I think it was Tami that 
suggested this happened at over 700C and then the particulates 
became difficult to burn out. The endothermy of the water gas 
reaction would rapidly bring down the temperature thus eliminating a 
small amount of carbon whilst preventing cracking? A self limiting 
effect?

AJH