Thermal lance
From Freepedia
Image:Thermal lance.2004-8-4.jpg
A thermal lance or thermic lance or burning bar is a tool which burns iron in an oxygen environment to create very high temperatures for cutting. It consists of a long iron tube, often packed with iron wire. One end of the tube is placed in a holder and oxygen is fed through the tube.
The far end of the tube can be ignited with an oxyacetylene torch. Alternatively, the far end can be ignited by an electric spark. The tube is connected to one terminal of a battery and the other terminal is connected to a copper electrode. The end of the tube is then rubbed against the copper electrode to produce sparks, which ignite the lance.
An intense flame is produced at the lit end and can be used to rapidly cut through a variety of thick materials including steel and concrete. The tube is consumed, so every few minutes the operator shuts off the oxygen, discards the remaining stub of a lance and starts a new lance.
A thermal lance does not contain thermite, contrary to popular misconception.
The intensity of the heat generated by a thermal lance is such that it may be used by safe-crackers to burn through and gain access to safes.
Other meanings
The term "thermic lance" is occasionally used wrongly in science fiction to mean a type of raygun.
