In separating the mixture, we will use a few different techniques.

Heating with Bunsen Burner

Bunsen burners are effective ways to heat a sample. There are two adjustable

parameters on a Bunsen burner: the gas flow rate and the mixing ratio with air.

To ignite the Bunsen burner, first turn on the gas and then use a striker to ignite

the gas. Once the Bunsen burner is lit, the gas flow and mixing ratio are adjusted

to produce an efficient flame. An efficient flame has a sharp inner blue cone of

combustion.

If your Bunsen burner does not light, first check to make sure you have gas flow.

If you are properly turning on the gas and have flow, then check to see if the

striker is producing sparks when you use it. Test the striker a few times to make

sure you can consistently produce sparks. If you have gas flow and are producing

sparks, but the Bunsen burner still won’t light, then you need to adjust the air

mixing ratio. Turn the air mixing valve to minimize the amount of air that enters

the Bunsen burner. This should allow you to light the burner but then you will

need to increase the amount of air to produce a more intense flame.

Safety Considerations for a Bunsen Burner

Bunsen burners can pose serious risks in the laboratory. Probably one of the

most obvious risks is that you will use the Bunsen burner to heat objects, and

those hot objects can burn you if not handled appropriately. Remember that hot

glassware looks identical to cold glassware, so be aware of the temperature of a

laboratory tool before handling it.

You also risk igniting other objects. Make sure that paper and other flammable

materials are not near the Bunsen burner when lit. This is especially true for

flammable liquids. Make sure you are aware of the SDS requirements for the

materials you are using on a Bunsen burner. Flammable liquids should never be

used in the proximity of a Bunsen burner.

16