Flame projector

A flame projector is a device that generates a controlled flame . Flame projectors are used as a pyrotechnic effect at stage events .

In a flame projector, a flammable substance, usually propane gas or lycopodium , is blown into the air and set on fire by an ignition source. The shape and height of the flame are set by the shape and diameter of the outlet nozzle and the pressure.

In the case of propane gas, the gas is shot into the air through an outlet nozzle and ignited with an arc . A solenoid valve is usually used to release the gas . The gas creates a mushroom shape and burns with a red-orange flame. The gas supply is regulated via a central tank and pressure hoses. With Lycopodium flame projectors, a mixture of bear moss spores (Lycopodium) and air is blown into the air and ignited. Like a flour dust explosion , a ball of fire arises in the air. By adding other chemical substances, other flame colors can also be created, such as red, yellow and green.

Most flame projectors can be controlled via DMX . As a rule, they occupy two DMX channels, one is the impulse channel, the other the activation channel. A flame can only be ignited if both channels have a certain DMX value, around 50–100 on the impulse channel and at the same time 255 on the activation channel. Some devices have LED lamps that flash when they are activated. This is to warn people on the stage that a flame can be ignited at any time.