The term combustible is often used to describe any material which will burn. However, conditions at which combustion will occur must be defined more accurately, for example a combustible liquid is 37.8 °C but below 93.3 °C. This allows a distinction to be made between combustible materials, which are fairly difficult to ignite, and flammable or highly flammable ones, which are far easier to ignite.
Flammable limits refer to the conditions under which a mixture of a flammable material and air may catch fire or explode. When vapour s of a flammable or combustible liquid are mixed with air in the proper proportions in the presence of a source of ignition, rapid combustion or an explosion can occur. The proper proportion is called the flammable range and is also often referred to as the explosive range. The flammable range includes all concentrations of flammable vapour or gas in air, in which a flash will occur or a flame will travel if the mixture is ignited.
The lower flammable limit (LEL) or the lower explosive limit is the lowest concentration of a flammable vapour or gas in air that will propagate a flame from an ignition source. The upper flammable limit (UEL) or the upper explosive limit is the highest concentration of a flammable vapour or gas in air that will propagate a flame from an ignition source. Any concentration between these limits can ignite or explode.
Lower flammable limit (LEL) or the lower explosive limit is the minimum concentration of vapour or gas in air above which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition. The mixture is said to be too lean.
Upper flammable limit (UEL) or the upper explosive limit is the maximum concentration of vapour or gas in air below which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition. The mixture is said to be too rich.
Chemical property is a property observed when a substance undergoes a transformation into one or more new substances. Measurement of a chemical property involves a chemical change. For example, determining the flammability of petrol involves burning it, producing carbon dioxide and water.
Coal is a black or brownish-black, combustible sedimentary rock, with 30 % (lignite) to 98 % (anthracite) carbon by weight, mixed with various amounts of water and small amounts of sulfur and nitrogen compounds. It is formed from plant matter that decayed in swamps and bogs that has been compressed and altered by geological processes over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a fuel.
Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid or volatile solid gives off vapour sufficient to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or within the test vessel (NFPA).
Generalic, Eni. "Zapaljiv." Croatian-English Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary. 29 June 2022. KTF-Split. {Date of access}. <https://glossary.periodni.com>.
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