Fun with the Fire Triangle.
http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/Pics/Fire_triangle.png
Some basics to set the stage:
I’ve got a small cutting torch, the Home Depot/Bernz’o’Matic kind.
http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/a/tools/torches-heat-guns-04.jpg
Awesome little bastard, HIGHLY recommended.
Essential facts:
-It uses MAPP gas (fuel) and Oxygen (oxygen) and a sparker (heat/ignition source).
-It makes and nice uber hot flame, 1/4” around, 1” long.
-Unignited, the stoichiometric mixture of gasses amounts to a faint hiss. I.E. not allot of gas is used, very little oxygen.
-If you use to much O2, it goes out.
-If you use too much MAPP, it goes out.
The Fun: I needed to get something very very hot, but I was out of oxygen….. or was I? The air around me is full of O2….
-Open the MAPP gas valve a bit; “Hiissssss *spark* poof!”. No flame.
-Open the MAPP gas valve a bit more; “HISSSSS *spark* POOF POOF!”. No flame.
-Open the MAPP gas valve a bit MOAR: “HIIIIIIISSSSS spark…..”
Elena, who was inside watching TV, said she saw a bright flash come from the windows, and could hear the rocket sound out on the back patio.
The flame that came out was not ¼” wide by 1” long, but closer 6” wide and about a foot long, though it was noticeably more orange, thus less hot than a controlled blue flame.
I waved the flame over the stainless drain cover that I was trying to heat up, it looked like it was re-entering the Earths atmosphere. 5 seconds later, the flame went out and the drain cover was nice and rainbow colored.
I have not yet decided if I want to do this again for the sake of film. It doesn’t strike me as being very bright. But see!! You don't need your Oxygen tank if you just want to makes things hot.