I’ve always been a little embarrassed to ask, but when I have, say, a propane torch, how come the flame doesn’t go back through the line and blow up the can?
In: Engineering
Because the tank is pressurized and the oxygen inside of the nozzle has been completely pushed out. As you go into your torch, you hit what’s called the Higher Explosive Limit of the propane.
Basically, all fuel needs air to burn, and how much air it needs to do so is specified as a range. If it is above, or below this range, it won’t light. If the entire space is just filled with propane, you don’t have adequate air to burn, and thus, no flame.
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