Flame temperature for different fuels

We might think that the conditions to ignite a flame are always the same, regardless of the materials, but the truth is that depending on the fuel we use, we can obtain different temperatures in the flame.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the different temperatures depending on the type of fuel. It is important to remember that this is the maximum temperature that can theoretically be reached in each case, also known as the adiabatic temperature . The actual observed temperature is always lower, since heat transfer (loss) cannot be avoided. Other elements, such as air, gas, and oxygen, are taken with an initial temperature of 20°C. For some list items you can also see the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

Fuel/source: flame temperature

• Acetylene: 3,100 °C (oxygen), 2,400 °C (air)
• Torch: 1300°C (2400°F, air)
• Bunsen burner: 1,300-1,600°C (2,400-2,900°F, air)
• Butane:1,970 °C (air)
• Candle: 1,000 °C (1,800 °F, air)
• Carbon monoxide: 2,121 °C (air)
• Cigarette: 400-700 °C (750-1,300 °F, air)
• Ethane: 1,960 °C (air)
• Hydrogen: 2,660 °C (oxygen), 2,045 °C (air)
• MAPP: 2,980 °C (oxygen)
• Methane: 2,810 °C (oxygen), 1,957 °C (air)
• Natural gas: 2,770 °C (oxygen)
• Oxyhydrogen: 2,000 °C or higher (3,600 °F, air)
• Propane: 2,820 °C (oxygen), 1,980 °C (air)
• Propane and butane mixture: 1,970 °C (air)
• Propylene: 2870 °C (oxygen).

This information is very useful from the research point of view to determine the temperature at which an event occurs, for example a fire. Although fuel is not the only thing that is taken into account, it is a fundamental step. The atmospheric pressure, the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere, the ambient temperature and the combustion process play a determining role in the actual temperature.

References

Mercor Tecresa (2020) what temperature does a flame reach? Available at: https://mercortecresa.com/blog/que-temperatura-alcanza-una-llama

Unicen (s/f) Chemistry of fire. Available at: https://www.fio.unicen.edu.ar/usuario/segumar/Laura/material/Qu%EDmica%20del%20Fuego.pdf