Abstract
THE kind of phenomenon described by Mr. Garbutt (p. 649) is frequently to be met with in “washed-out” flames, that is, in flames which are diluted to the point of extinction. In such cases the velocity of inflammation is so low that flame cannot propagate itself against the stream of gas. If the current of gas be baffled by an obstacle, then a flame may originate in the “slack waters” round the obstacle. No doubt the temperature of the obstacle is of some importance if the object be small, since rapid withdrawal of heat at any point of a gaseous current is a hindrance to the development of flame at that point. But it will be found that in the experiment described by Mr. Garbutt a flame may be obtained by opposing a large baffling surface of even an enduringly cold body such as a 56-pound weight. In this case a very large portion of the gaseous mixture is made stationary and the cooling down does not affect more than a small film next the metal. A kindred phenomenon is described in NATURE (vol. xlix. p. 86).
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SMITHELLS, A. A Curious Flame. Nature 65, 4 (1901). https://doi.org/10.1038/065004d0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/065004d0
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