MedSolut AG

Reliable heating with the Bunsen burner for the laboratory

A Bunsen burner is used in many locations and is therefore indispensable in numerous laboratories, businesses and companies. For the safe and reliable use of a burner in your laboratory, MedSolut has selected safety Bunsen burners from Schuett in its range, which combine compact design with a high level of user comfort.

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The Bunsen burner in the laboratory: places of use

The Bunsen burner is required in many laboratories. However, laboratory gas burners are primarily used for preliminary samples in analytical chemistry, where, for example, solder tube samples, flame samples or borax samples are carried out. For areas such as microbiology or biotechnology, where sterile procedures are often essential, it is particularly important that a sterile environment is created around the flame when the air supply is fully open. The laboratory devices are also essential for chemistry laboratories in schools or as utensils in experimental kitchens, where the Bunsen burner - or flambé burner - is used in a handy design for heating various dishes.

Structure of a classic Bunsen burner

A Bunsen burner is a small laboratory gas burner that is used to carry out small heating processes at the workplace. It burns natural gas or a mixture of propane and butane, which feeds a small flame. Bunsen burners for laboratories typically consist of

  • a heavy metal base

  • a connection for the gas hose

  • a gas nozzle

  • a gas regulator (either lever or rotary wheel)

  • a burner tube

  • an opening for air supply

The connection for the hose, which is connected to the gas tap or another source, is located at the upper end of the metal base. There is often an adjustment option here using a lever or rotary knob, which allows the amount of gas to be set. Once the connection has been made, the gas flows upwards via the burner tube. If no air supply is required, this can be closed by means of an adjusting ring.

How a Bunsen burner works

To generate the flame in a Bunsen burner, gas (usually propane, butane or natural gas) is fed upwards through the burner tube. There is an opening through which an oxidizer (air) is sucked in and mixed with the gas. The opening through which the air is sucked in can be closed with an adjusting ring. This allows the proportions of gas and air to be changed, which also allows the flame to be regulated. The following flames can be generated:

  • Valve closed (diffusion flame): bright, almost silent flame (approx. 900° C)

  • Valve half open: unlit flame (approx. 1,000° C)

  • Valve open (premix flame): non-luminous, roaring flame (approx. 1,300° C)

The correct use of the Bunsen burner

Under certain circumstances, working with an open flame can be dangerous. For this reason, a number of safety criteria should be observed when using a Bunsen burner:

  • Keep loose, long hair, long fabric sleeves or loose-fitting clothing away from the flame. It is best to tie up long hair with a hair band.

  • Also keep your head away from the burner at all times

  • When you are not using the Bunsen burner, always switch it off completely: Escaping gas can be highly dangerous!

  • Always keep the burner steady on its base and never tilt or shake it.

  • Wearsafety goggles when working with certain substances.

  • Also make sure that warning devices such as gas or smoke detectors are installed in the room. Some of these are even required by law.

Starting up the Bunsen burner

When commissioning a Bunsen burner, it is not only advisable to observe the safety measures. Regulated process sequences should also be specified and followed.

  1. The first step is to put on safety goggles and tie up hair so that it is out of reach of the flame.

  2. Check theair supply and gas regulation: Are they closed?

  3. Light the flame by holding the match over the burner tube .

  4. You can now open the gas control. The flame should be bright.

  5. Also open the air supply to regulate the flame between non-lit and sizzling.

Bunsen burner laboratory: types and names

Among the laboratory gas burners there are various types and names, but what are the differences between the devices? The best known is of course the Bunsen burner, which is available in various designs and sizes. For example, there are small hand-held devices for use in the kitchen where food is flambéed. The Bunsen burner is named after Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (who did not invent it, but only improved it) and works on the principle of the jet pump, whereby air is directed up the burner tube to the flame. Another well-known burner is the Teclu burner, named after its inventor Nicolae Teclu, a Romanian-Austrian chemist and architect.

The Teclu burner works in a very similar way to the Bunsen burner, but the air is guided to the flame in a different way: It is drawn in from below through a conically widened burner tube instead of being directed. The Teclu burner also has a slightly more comfortable and precise flame regulation than the Bunsen burner. The third important laboratory gas burner is the Meker-Fisher burner, which burns more gas due to its larger burner tube and can therefore heat up larger volumes faster than the Bunsen burner. It produces several open gas flames and is used for heating processes, sterilization processes and combustion processes.

Buying a Bunsen burner - important selection criteria

When it comes to buying the right burner for the laboratory, industry or kitchen, there are a few things to consider. This starts with the type of gas burner: in addition to the classic Bunsen burner, do you perhaps want a pistol-grip blowtorch for particularly long burning times, a gas burner with an attachment for overhead soldering or a flambé burner as a small version for the kitchen? The following criteria are also important:

Burning time

Before you make a purchase, you should take a look at the maximum burning time. This must be specified by the manufacturer and is influenced by the size of the gas cartridge and the individual gas consumption of the burner. Burning times usually last between 60 and 210 minutes. If you want a longer burning time, make sure that the gas consumption per minute is rather low.

Heating time

If you want to use appliances that are ready for immediate use, make sure they have a short lead time when you buy them. This heating-up time usually takes 30 to 45 seconds for high-quality appliances. Under no circumstances should it take longer than this for the appliance to be ready for use. This allows you to start work more quickly and also reduces gas consumption by keeping the idle time as short as possible.

Flame temperature

The maximum flame temperature, which is measured during combustion inside the flame, is essential for experiments with the Bunsen burner in the laboratory. It indicates the maximum temperature at which the flame can be set when the air supply is fully open. There are very different values on the market, which is why you should make sure you buy a high-quality burner. Such a burner must reach at least 1,100°C, although a temperature of 1,800°C is required for many applications.

Regulation options

Depending on how detailed and meticulous your work is, you should have a certain range of regulation available when purchasing a Bunsen burner for your laboratory. Regulation options influence the flame size and the temperature of the flame. They are mounted on the nozzle of the gas burner and their function supports their use in many areas of application.

Accessories

The accessories a Bunsen burner has are also important. This is because safe operation is only guaranteed if all parts are present. The following is therefore required for connection to a propane or butane gas cylinder:

  • two connecting pieces with spout and hose clamps

  • a hose through which the gas can be fed

  • a gas regulator with 50 mbar

  • and a corresponding hose rupture safety device

There are also extra accessories that can make applications easier. For example, there are Bunsen burners on the market with an ignition safety device (this is now mandatory for use in laboratories) or various beak attachments.

Bunsen burners at MedSolut

The gas safety burners from WLD, Bochem and Schuett are characterized by their high performance and numerous practical functions:

  • Convenient ignition of the Bunsen burner by foot switch or at the touch of a button

  • Control of burning time and flame regulation

  • Overheating protection

  • UV-resistant housing

  • Tilt adjustment

  • Support for individual preferences in operation through manual operation, foot switch or motion sensor

  • and much more

Schuett is a manufacturer of high-end products used in biotechnology, microbiology and molecular biology. Development and production are managed and carried out by Schuett itself, which has enabled it to establish a worldwide network of customers and dealers who trust in Schuett's quality.

Buy high-quality Bunsen burners at MedSolut

Find the ideal Bunsen burner for your laboratory at MedSolut.com and convince yourself of the high-quality design, ease of use and performance of the items. Our competent customer service team will be happy to answer your questions, which you can reach by phone or email at info@medsolut.com .

FAQ

What is the difference between a gas burner and a Bunsen burner?

A Bunsen burner is a gas burner, just like the Teclu burner or the Meker-Fisher burner. The main difference between the gas burners is how the air is fed to the flame. The Meker-Fisher burner heats larger volumes the fastest.

How does a Bunsen burner work?

The Bunsen burner consists of a metal base and a burner tube. Gas is supplied via the gas connection. On many appliances, the flame can be regulated using the air opening and adjusting screws.

How much does a Bunsen burner cost?

Bunsen burners are required in numerous businesses - from schools to industry or laboratories. Depending on the quality, devices are available from €20, although high-quality safety Bunsen burners can quickly reach prices of €400.

Who invented the Bunsen burner?

The Bunsen burner is named after its inventor Robert Wilhelm Bunsen, although he is not the actual inventor. Michael Faraday was the original inventor of the device, which was further developed to meet Bunsen's needs. The gas burner was optimized by Peter Desaga.