Beeswax natural candle

Candle flame dynamic

Beeswax, unlike paraffin, which is a hydrocarbon, is composed mainly of cerotic acid and palmitic acid, both fatty acid constitution C26 and C16 respectively. As paraffin the burns flame is similar but significantly slow due to its higher melting point and its composition. When it lights a candle, flame heat melts the wax near the wick. The liquid wax is then drained to the top of the wick by capillary action.The heat of the flame vaporizes the liquid wax and then starts to break down into molecules of carbon and hydrogen and other complexes constituents. These molecules vaporized subjected to flame react with oxygen in the air generating heat, light, water vapor and carbon dioxide. Approximately a quarter of the energy created by the combustion of the candle’s heat of the flame which propagates in all directions. This heat is sufficient to melt more wax and maintaining the flow of fuel and therefore flame until the wax is depleted or the flame is eliminated. We needed some time after the candle is lit to stabilize the firing process. During this period the flame can swing and can generate excessive smoke.

If you look closely at a candle flame, you will notice a blue area at the base of the flame. Above this blue area will see a small area of dark orange and above this, a large yellowish area, characteristic of a candle flame.The blue area, which is rich in oxygen molecules vaporize and begin to break down into atoms of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrogen is the first out and react with oxygen and form water vapor. Some react to form carbon dioxide. The burned area is starved of oxygen and in this area various parts of the molecules continue to be broken at carbon atoms. Associated with the formation of water vapor and carbon dioxide formed in the blue area, the temperature is approximately 1000°C. At the bottom of zone yellowish no soot formation which rises and glows and emits the full spectrum of visible light. As the yellow portion of the spectrum is dominant eyes perceive the characteristic yellow flame of the candles. The temperature at the top of the yellow zone reaches 1200°C.

Beeswax candle wick test

The most important part of the burning of a candle is the wick. The wick acts as a supplier of fuel (wax) to the flame. Acting as a fuel pump wick keeps the flow of liquid wax that feeds the flame. There are in USA market more than 100 types of wick for various formats and types of wax candles. These wicks are in most applications in the paraffin-based candles, and very little to beeswax candles. Here in Brazil the variety of wicks for candles is very small, nothing specific wicks for beeswax candles. When I started studying the wicks, the first type I tested were the common strings of various gauges. The usual strings for paraffin wax in beeswax not work. When I say no work means no burn to perfection, ie dim, dripping excessively, sometimes the flame is too small, sometimes excessive, etc.. I did dozens of burn tests until a few alternatives, not always reproducible because the several factors of beeswax such as type, origin, color, bloom and others. Below one of the test I did with special wicks indicated for use in paraffin candles.

 Candle finish device

Normally this defect occurs at the base of the candles by retraction or when unmolding. Made this little device which consists of a steel bar with a conical cavity (for conical candles) and a drain hole.

 You warm this part in temperature slightly above the melting point of the wax (65°C), using any type of heater and a container for containing molten wax. Once heated just place the base of the candle on the device, turning some times and presto, the base is leveled and the defect corrected.