Why is thorium used on gas mantle?

Why is thorium used on gas mantle?

Abstract. Gas lantern mantles contain thorium to produce incandescence when lantern fuel is burned on the mantle.

Are thorium mantles still available?

Sometime around 1990, the Coleman Company replaced the thorium in their mantles with yttrium. The yttrium mantle produces about 20% less light, but it lasts longer. According to NUREG-1717, about half of the 50 million mantles sold in the U.S. in 2000 (or thereabouts), contained thorium.

Do lantern mantles have thorium?

In the mid 1950s nearly 70 percent of the thorium that was being produced in the United States was used for the coating of mantles in camping lanterns. [5] Each mantle contained nearly 250 mg of thorium.

What is the source of white light in gas mantles?

An incandescent gas mantle, gas mantle or Welsbach mantle is a device for generating incandescent bright white light when heated by a flame. The name refers to its original heat source in gas lights which illuminated the streets of Europe and North America in the late 19th century.

How Do gas light mantles work?

Gas lanterns are incandescent lights. They burn a fuel like propane, white gas or kerosene to produce heat, and the heat causes the mantles to produce light. The mantles are a ceramic mesh that encase the flame produced by the lantern.

Are all lantern mantles radioactive?

Although most people are unaware of the problem, the mantles in such lamps are actually radioactive . . . possibly enough so to threaten the health of folks who depend on them.

How long do propane mantles last?

A single 16.4-ounce canister of propane will last for about 12 hours, depending on the size of the lantern and the brightness of its setting. A large two-mantle lantern will last four hours on a single canister on a high setting, while a small single-mantle lantern may last close to 12 hours on a single canister.

What material are lantern mantles made of?

The mantles are a ceramic mesh that encase the flame produced by the lantern. Typical mantles look like this: Mantles start out as silk fabric sacks impregnated with different oxides. The standard for decades has been the Welsbach mantle, which uses a mixture of thorium oxide, cerium oxide and magnesium oxide.

When should I replace my lantern mantle?

Beyond replacing damaged mantles, American Gas Lamp Works recommends that you replace your mantles at least once per year. Changing your mantles annually will ensure that your lamp remains bright and fuel-efficient.

Can you make your own lantern mantles?

Things You’ll Need The mantle is usually made from artificial silk or rayon fabric. The fabric is completely soaked with an earth oxide. Thorium is an example of a rare earth oxide that can be used to saturate the fabric. The mantle is then placed inside of the lantern.

What can you use for lantern mantles?

Traditional fuel-burning lantern mantles can be can be powered by one of three main fuel types: liquid fuel, propane, or butane. These fuel sources are used in conjunction with either clip or tie-on mantle socks (sometimes called “bulbs”), which are affixed directly to the lantern’s nozzle.

Are gas lights safe?

Are gas lanterns safe for my home? Yes. Gas lanterns operate using either natural gas or propane which are safe, clean burning fuels. The fuel for the lanterns is controled by a switch which only emits enough fuel at one time to light the flame.

How do you clean a gas light?

You should clean your open flame gas lamp burner tip at least twice a year. To do this, run a piece of dental floss or use a wire brush through the cooled slot in the tip to remove any debris or soot that’s settled in the burner tip, and follow that by rubbing it with a soft cloth.