Bunsenbrännaren

Bunsenbrännaren, often referred to as a Bunsen burner in English, is a common piece of laboratory equipment used for heating and sterilization. It produces a single open gas flame, adjusted by controlling the flow of gas and air. Invented by Robert Bunsen and Peter Desaga in the 1850s, it revolutionized laboratory heating by providing a clean and controllable flame, unlike previous oil lamps.

The basic components of a Bunsen burner include a gas inlet, a valve to control gas flow, a barrel or chimney, and an adjustable collar or air vent at the base of the barrel. When gas enters the barrel, it mixes with air drawn in through the air vent. This mixture then rises and is ignited at the top of the barrel, producing a flame. By adjusting the air vent, the user can control the type of flame produced. A closed air vent results in a luminous, cooler, yellow flame, while an open air vent allows for more air to mix with the gas, creating a hotter, non-luminous blue flame. The hottest part of the flame is the tip of the inner blue cone.

Bunsen burners are widely used in chemistry, biology, and physics laboratories for a variety of tasks, such as heating substances, sterilizing equipment, and performing flame tests to identify elements. Safety precautions are essential when using a Bunsen burner, including keeping flammable materials away from the flame and ensuring proper ventilation.