Radiant energy from flames

Abstract

The thermal and the chemiluminescence theories of the radiant energy from flame are discussed and the conclusion is reached that the emission is very largely chemiluminescence. New experimental evidence on the radiation from the carbon monoxide flame is in agreement with this conclusion.

The study of the radiant energy from flames offers a line of approach to the problems of catalysis of the processes of combustion, and this is illustrated by reference to experimental work on the catalysis of the carbon monoxide flame by hydrogen. It is concluded that the action of hydrogen is twofold in character. It acts as a catalyst in the chemical sense when the hydrogen percentage exceeds 0.02, and as a conserver of chemical energy within the flame throughout the whole range of concentrations up to 2 per cent. The latter type of catalysis is termed “energo-thermic,” and in the above example it is concluded that either the proton or the electron is the effective agent. The chemical energy is conserved within the flame by collisions between protons or electrons and the newly formed products of the combustion process.