Newly Discovered Blue Whirl Fire Tornado Burns Cleaner Say Researchers

Posted on August 10, 2016

Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered a type of fire tornado that provides a much cleaner burn than yellow fire whirls. It is called a blue whirl. It is pictured above over water in a swirl generator. The researchers say the discovery could lead to beneficial new approaches for reducing carbon emissions and improving oil spill cleanup.

Elaine Oran, Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering and co-author of the paper, says in a statement, "Blue whirls evolve from traditional yellow fire whirls. The yellow color is due to radiating soot particles, which form when there is not enough oxygen to burn the fuel completely. Blue in the whirl indicates there is enough oxygen for complete combustion, which means less or no soot, and is therefore a cleaner burn."

Michael Gollner, assistant professor of fire protection engineering and co-author of the paper, says, "A fire tornado has long been seen as this incredibly scary, destructive thing. But, like electricity, can you harness it for good? If we can understand it, then maybe we can control and use it."

A research paper on the findings was published here in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Here is video footage of the blue whirl in the lab.

CHEMISTRY