Light a Match With Superheated Steam

Steam produced at atmospheric pressure is passed through heated copper tubing to become superheated, reaching several hundred degrees Celsius. The superheated steam demonstrates surprising effects when it comes into contact with paper and matches.

1. Generate steam at atmospheric pressure by boiling water in a flask or tin.
2. Direct the steam through a length of flame heated copper tubing, which raises the steam temperature well above 100 °C, producing superheated steam.
3. Hold a piece of paper in the path of the superheated steam and observe its effects.
4. Repeat with an unlit match to.

Lighting a match with water - The Royal Institution:

Igniting matches & combusting paper using steam - SciTubeHD:

• Test the effect of superheated steam on different materials such as cloth, cardboard, or wood.
• Compare the behavior of saturated steam versus superheated steam on the same material.

• Superheated steam is extremely dangerous - it is invisible and can cause severe burns.
• Wear heat-resistant gloves, face shields, and lab coats when performing the demonstration.
• Keep combustible materials at a safe distance except when being tested.
• Ensure copper tubing and heating elements are securely mounted and handled with caution.
• This demonstration should only be performed by trained professionals in a controlled laboratory setting.

• Why does superheated steam behave differently from regular steam? (Superheated steam has a much higher temperature, so it can ignite or char materials more easily.)
• Why doesn’t steam at 100 °C have the same effect on paper? (At 100 °C, saturated steam transfers heat less intensely than superheated steam, which contains more thermal energy.)
• How is superheated steam used in industry? (It is used in power generation, sterilization, and chemical processing because of its high energy content.)