Combustion and Flame Quiz

Combustion Basics

• Combustion is a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer that results in the release of heat and light energy.
• The essential requirement for combustion is the presence of fuel, oxygen, and heat.

Ignition Temperature

• Ignition temperature is the minimum temperature required for a fuel to ignite.

Fire Control

• Fire can be controlled by removing one or more of the essential requirements for combustion (fuel, oxygen, or heat).
• Electrical equipment or oil fires can be controlled using a non-conductive extinguishing agent, such as carbon dioxide or dry powder.

Fuels

• An ideal fuel is one that is easily ignited, burns smoothly, and releases a lot of energy per unit mass.

Autoignition Temperature

• The autoignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which a combustible substance catches fire without an external ignition source.

Types of Combustion

• Explosive combustion involves a sudden increase in volume and release of gas, often resulting in a loud noise and a shockwave.

Flame Structure

• A flame consists of three different zones: the inner flame (where combustion takes place), the luminous zone (where soot particles emit light), and the outer flame (where combustion is incomplete).

Fire Extinguishing Agents

• Electrical equipment or oil fires can be controlled using a non-conductive extinguishing agent, such as carbon dioxide or dry powder.

Fuel Efficiency

• Fuel efficiency is typically expressed in units of miles per gallon (mpg) or kilometers per liter (km/L).