Cool Blue Flames Are Hot News: “Blue Whirl” Fire State May Improve Ocean Oil Cleanup

Active Junky’s a fan of blue skies and even bluer waters so major oil spills at sea are no friend of ours – or the Earth. Incinerating the oil is a common removal option but is inefficient and pours harmful carbon and polluting black smoke into the atmosphere. However, scientists observed a new state of burning, named “blue whirl,” that mimics normally destructive fire whirls. By purposefully igniting oil while increasing oxygen, yellow flames become blue as they burn hotter for complete combustion. Burning cleaner, “blue whirl” fires produce fewer harmful byproducts. The potential is significant if it can be duplicated at spill sites. Watch this video to see the flame in action.