Whirlpool 4322452 manual Flame Characteristics, Properly Burning Flame

FLAME CHARACTERISTICS

A Properly Burning Flame

A properly burning flame has an inner cone, an outer cone, and an outer envelope. These three parts should be definable and distinguishable, although the outer envelope may not be easy to see. (see Figure 3-14).

The inner cone is the point where the air/gas mixture ignites and the combustion process begins. High levels of Carbon Monoxide and Aldehydes are produced in this cone.

Proper Flame Characteristics:		Outer Envelope
	Inner Cone	Outer Cone
• Blue Color
• Flame Seated On Burner Port	Unburned Air/Gas
• Well Defined Shape		Figure 3-14

The outer cone surrounds the inner cone. The outer cone is the hottest part of the flame. Secondary air is drawn into the flame at this point and accelerates combustion. As the by-products from the inner cone move into the outer cone, they are burned and transformed into harmless water vapor (H2O) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2). If there is not enough secondary air, or if it is poorly ventilated and stagnant, this process cannot occur completely, and some of the harmful by-products from the inner cone will skip into the outer envelope.

The outer envelope surrounds the outer cone. The combustion process has been completed by the time the chemicals reach this point. The glow of the envelope is the result of the hot Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor exiting the outer cone.

Too Much Primary Air

As the primary air is increased, the gas/air mixture burns at a faster speed (like fanning a flame). The additional primary air results in a greater volume of air/gas flow through the burner ports.

With increased delivery pressure and a faster burning flame, the result is a flame that blows straight out of the burner and burns with a sound similar to a blow torch. The flames lift off the burners and the cone structure of the flame is disrupted. (see Figure 3-15).

	Outer Envelope
Outer Cone	Inner Cone Pushes
	Through Outer Cone

Flame Lifts

Off Burner Figure 3-15

Page 3-11