Effects of magnetic fields on flames and gas flow

Effects of magnetic fields on combustion and gas-flow were studied. Methane, propane and hydrogen gases were burned, and flames of these gases were exposed to gradient magnetic fields up to 1.6 T and 220 T/m. Flames bent so as to escape from magnetic fields of higher intensities. Apart from the combustion experiments, flows of gases such as carbon dioxide and oxygen were exposed to magnetic fields up to 2.2 T and 300 T/m. The flows of these gases with a flow velocity 20-140 ml/min were blocked or modified by the magnetic fields. The changes of flame-shape and gas-flow by magnetic fields are understood to be the result of the role of oxygen. Under the intensities of magnetic fields concerned, oxygen gases as paramagnetic molecules are not concentrated but are aligned so as to make a "wall of oxygen". The wall of oxygen presses back flames and other gases.