If you didn’t know, compounds containing metal ions emit a certain wavelength of light when heated (this depends on the arrangement of electrons), and some emit a wavelength in the visible spectrum, producing colour. For example, copper can create a blue-green flame, and potassium can produce a lilac flame.
Has there been any attempts at artificial colouration of flame colours in certain products that could be used to indicate safety certification, temperature ratings of that specific appliance/equipment, make visible to what would otherwise be colourless flames, etc.?
I know something similar is done with certain gases, colourless and odourless gases that are dangerous (flammable, toxic, etc.) are given distinctive colours and/or smell.
Are you asking this because of the green flame on a hob meme that was posted recently?
Yes the one in the science memes community. The idea popped in my mind
Thought as much!
In response to your question, I’ve got a chinesium jet lighter with metal over the jets that turns the flame purple.
Not sure if that’s the answer you were looking for though
I have heard of lighters with cosmetic colours! I think Hacksmith had (or has? Unsure if it was a limited time event or not) little bits to change the colour of their mini lightsaber lighter.
I was thinking more functional usecases for it though, yeah. Like you know that A equipment is certified to do B thing (heating or something, idk) because it has this colour of fire, or it’s used to show that this fire is a specified temperature (for specific applications that need it, then you can just say the distinct colour of fire vs “reddish”, “whitish”, and “blueish” flames)
What about the flames of a gas fire in a home?
Bluish - tepid Reddish - warm Whitish - flat out
Methane gas is given an additive to produce an odour to detect leaks, but the blue flame is just from burning methane.
I don’t see a practical application. You can buy powders that color camping flames but that’s just a toy.
What purpose would this serve? The temperature rating on my, stove… if my stove can’t handle its own ability to make heat no colored flame is going to make that a usable item. I just don’t see how a colored flame would be better than appropriate labeling and signage.
People used to use a broom to detect hydrogen fires in (scientific) equipment. The fire normally being hard to see. I’m told that you would wave the broom around the equipment and when it burst into flame you’d found your fire.
