It’s a process called molecular diffusion, and it produces spherical flames that are different from their Earthly counterparts in more ways than one.

1. Structure and Response of Spherical Diffusion Flames (s-Flame) — provided data on flame growth and extinction for the improvement of computational models.

Scientists are studying cool diffusion flames on the International Space Station in hopes of developing cleaner engines for Earth.

In diffusion flames, the fuel and the oxidizer — typically, oxygen — are initially separate, limiting how fast the fire can burn. In premixed flames, the two swirl together.

Furthermore, these premixed flames can either be “rich” or “lean” in terms of the ratio of fuel to oxygen. Chung and colleagues found that the purple “crown” of a blue whirl is a diffusion flame that ...

Diffusion-type flame, where fuel and air mixing takes place via diffusion, requires a diluent into the reaction zone to control nitrogen oxides.

In a premixed flame, the fuel and oxidizer are mixed before reaching the flame. The stoichiometry of the mixture can be controlled by changing the fuel to oxidized ratio, and an inert gas such as ...

A flame can have two distinct regions: pre-mixed and diffusion. A burning candle experiences a diffusion flame because it occurs at the interface between the fuel and the oxidant.

A new type of flame produced on the International Space Station (ISS) doesn't just look cool with its spherical blue glow—it is cool.

The flame persists because of the diffusion of oxygen, with random oxygen molecules drifting into the fire. Absent the upward flow of hot air, fires in microgravity are dome-shaped or spherical ...