Altitude and Efficiency

[Riley]

this hasn't come up for a while but id like to hear what anyone thinks about the affects of altitude and how your flame burns. im in tucson at approximately 2000 feet above sea level. there are no noticeable affects from elevation and flame here, but i have gone to flagstaff arizona which sits at nearly 7000 feet above sea level. when you run a flame there it burns slower and everything i do in tucson takes nearly twice as long in flagstaff. im sure it has something to do with atmospheric pressure or oxygen density in the air.

anyone experience this, or understand it enough to explain? it seems to me that this could be a larger issue. people flameworking at higher altitudes would produce less and have higher overhead because their time and gas use would increase. i imagine alot of people who blow glass at high altitudes getting to experience glass blowing near sea level and never wanting to go back. maybe even relocating themselves so they can produce more efficiently. anyone have and feelings about this. ?

[Dan F.]

I have noticed the same difference. I came from Laramie WY 7200 ft. to Phoenix AZ 1117 ft. last fall. Smoother faster melts here in the valley than on the high plains. However difference seems so marginal to me that I would not factor it into any decision on where to live/work.

[Riley]

i could be over estimating a bit. its been a long time, not to mention the altitude, and of course naturally occuring phenomena like being really high... relative to the sea level that is.

[Dan F.]

I hear you. I myself was nearly always stratospheric in Laramie. Time itself seems to slow down when one is at such elevation. Still I think you are right about the whole elevation=less efficient flame.:chainsmk:

[Zed]

Hmm, I've never noticed, but then again I've been working at 8500 ft for 10 years. You may be on to something.

[Snurf]

I get a more bushy oxadizing flame at sea level. at 8000ft the flame seems to be narrower and a bit less blue.

[newmexicomagma]

ive alswyas worked at 5000 or above but when i went to agi i didnt notice a difference. im at 8000 feet now and dont feel that altitude is slowing me down at all. id like to hear someone that really knows but i feel being that what we are using is the same and being expelled out of the torch, i dont see how altitude would really affect it. but what do i know im just a safety break expert.

[Zed]

I know it really helps on older cars to advance your timing a degree or two when your above 5000 feet... newer cars do this automatically.

[NUBBLET]

may have something to do with air pressure . It effects the temp at which water boils .