The Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) Growth and Extinction Limits (GEL) experiment shows a flame appearing to spin itself into extinction. Scientists speculate that the flame appears to spin because that is the most effective way for it to consume oxygen. When the flow speed and oxygen concentration get too low, there is not enough oxygen to consume all the available fuel. As a result, a flame can only exist over a portion of the hot fuel causing the flame to appear to chase itself, or spin, around the fuel.
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