Washington:Reports indicate that the Olympic torch in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver has a limited environmental footprint. According to Discovery News,
the torches were built by train and plane manufacturer Bombardier, the Olympic
and Paralympic Winter Games. Ninety-five percent of the materials used to make
the torches were sourced locally within Canada. Bombardier used recyclable components as much as possible, including the steel that makes up the torch's interior and the aluminum that makes up its exterior shell. Bombardier also chose a fuel that
minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, while normally in very cold conditions, an
oil-based fuel would be chosen. But, the company elected to use a fuel that is
a mix of propane and isobutane, which burns in cold temperatures, provides a visible
flame in daylight and emits 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases than an oil-based
fuel. In addition to thinking about emissions, the company considered energy consumption,
which had an impact on energy as well. They designed the flame to burn from the
side instead of from the top. "The side-flame design creates a longer flame effect
and, consequently, when compared to an equivalent flame-height basis, usually
consumes less energy than does a vertical flame design," said Bruno Comtois, lead
project engineer for the 2010 Olympic Torch. After the 2010 Torch Relay, the aluminum
from the torches' cylinders and remaining fuel will be recycled.
