hodges - 26-5-2004 at 14:58
Anyone know what this is? If there is no wick how does the alcohol burn? Must not be anything too complicated for $5.
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/catalog/chemistry/lab-equip...
Theoretic - 27-5-2004 at 04:40
Probably a very thin tube submerged below the level of alcohol, it rises by the capillary effect and burns at the opening.
Ramiel - 27-5-2004 at 05:27
I've used so called wickless lamps or burners. We had to cook all of our textured vegetable proteins for ten days in the wilderness so that our
characters might be improved. I personally enjoyed the whole experience - I now know that dragging a ruddy boat across islands 
, rowing all day 
,
and trudging up and down monstrous hills is something that may have been specifically selected in my heritage 
(o' thank you Norsemen).
But I digress (blame Hermes, I've been reading his posts too often). 
All they are is, well, <html><a href="http://home.smelinkweb.com/trangia-english/BURNER_1383.asp">this</a></html>.
I guess your lab burner is similar, although the picture doesn't reveal many secrets.
-Ramiel
Here we go
axehandle - 27-5-2004 at 14:11
Probably a Trangia type alcohol burner.
It was invented around 40 years ago in Sweden. When you light it, the alcohol in the middle starts to burn. Soon, the heat is enough for the alcohol
in the "outer ring" to boil, sending gaseous burning ethanol out the small holes in the ring.
This burner can heat iron to a red heat.
I have one but can't find it, otherwise I'd have posted a picture.
Commercial:
http://www.smelinkweb.com/ImageLibrary/1758/trangiaengelsk.p...
Edit: Sorry Ramiel, I just saw that you had already posted the link.
[Edited on 2004-5-27 by axehandle]