On 16/11/2014 15:48, Thomas de Groot wrote:
> On 16-11-2014 15:13, Stephen wrote:
>> The heat is taken from the air and the hand that is holding it. You can
>> feel the lighter getting cold and you can hear the butane rushing into
>> the lighter. The sound will stop when the pressure has equalised and the
>> lighter will continue to fill up.
>>
>
> Such a long time since I stopped smoking that I only dimly remember
> these things. The cold comes from the gas expanding, right? Same way as
> a fridge.

Correct.

> Your last sentence seems contradictory to me. With equal
> pressure no further fill up, or am I wrong (probability: 98%)?
>

And the argument is: If it is not a difference in pressure then it must 
be gravity that is making the liquid flow.
And because you do not have the opportunity to do the experiment 
yourself. If when you are filling a lighter and you turn the system 
upside down so that the lighter is above the gas cylinder. A lot of the 
liquid drains into the gas cylinder. Gravity?
Some cigarette lighters have the chamber split into two by a dividing 
weir. If you keep the liquid in the chamber underneath the valve. The 
liquid will rise to the top of the weir and stop rising. No more gas 
will go in. Then if you tip the lighter so that the liquid spills into 
other chamber. The empty part (under the valve) can then be filled.

I first had this discussion 25 years ago and would quite like to know 
the answer.


-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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