Open Source Catalytic Lighter

Basics

• A Catalitic Lighter
• Uses Methanol and A Platnum Catalyst to Start A Fire Without any Sparks or Electricity
• Extremely Simple and Reliable
• Only issues are cost of Platnum, the heat produced, and the gradual evaporation of the methanol fuel
• Near infinite product lifespan with refueling of Methanol and occasional O-Ring Replacement
• Works by speeding up the oxidation of and partially decomposing the methanol causing ignition upon exposure to oxygen

Used For

• Starting Fires
• Lighting Gas Lanterns and Candles
• Lighting Manual Ignition Blowtorches, CNC Torches, Torches, Forge/Furnace Torches, and Grills
• An Easier to Produce Model for the Open Source Microfluidic Hydrogen Production Chip

Minimum Viable Product

• Highly Durable
• Quick Ignition Time
• As little Platnum used as possible to save cost
• Windproof Flame

Basic Design

Fuel Chamber/Lighter Body

• A Cylender/Filleted Rectangular Prism that is hollow
• Is around 2.5-5CM Across the Outside
• Has A Screw on Ring on the top with an O-Ring
• Could also be made from a modified flask

Wick

• Unlike some lighters THIS IS NOT BURNT
• Can Either be Cloth or A Sponge (Natural or Synthetic)
• This Stores the Methanol In A Non-Dripping Solid, and Promotes Evaporation

Cap/Catalast "Match" Holder

• This is a dual sided screw
• One side is the sealing + storing end (ie just a regular screw + a possible additional O-ring that seals + extinguishes the lighter for storage). This sits below the lip and/or is smaller than the other end
• The other side is a holder for the platnum catalyst. This end is larger so as to prevent accidentally using it for storage (it could also be a different color and/or textured finish. It has a screw to allow for a protective cap

Catalyst

• This needs some more research
• A metal Mesh Coated With Platnum Using a Vacuum Magnetron Coater Could Work
• Wire (Possibly Supporting a Solid Platnum Pellet may work
• A Coated Rod Protruding From the "Match" holder may also work (This could be removable to allow replacement/maitenence as well)

Case

• An insulating High Temperature Resistant Silicone case can be added for heat resistance for the users hand as well as adding some scratch/shock resistance

See Also

• Methanol
• Open Source Microfluidic Hydrogen Production Chip

Useful Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Catalytic Lighters
• This Video By Applied Science Explainign and Demoing One Such Device