Temperature profile of graphite surface burning in a stream of oxygen

Using methods for the objective measurement of the spectrum line reversal temperature in burning gases, the temperature profile at a graphite surface burning in a stream of oxygen was measured. From the behavior of the reversal temperature, it follows that particles in long-lived, high-energy states are present in the burning gas, and these bring about an overexcitation of the atomic species emitting the reversal line. Qualitative measurements show that a temperature maximum occurs at the expected distance of 1-2 mm from the graphite surface.