Burnability

Burnability is a measure of how readily a material will ignite and sustain combustion under prescribed conditions. It is a property relevant to fire safety, energy production, and waste management because it informs how a material behaves in a fire and how efficiently it can release energy during combustion.

Several physical and chemical properties influence burnability. Moisture content lowers burnability by absorbing heat and reducing ignition probability. The amount of volatile matter, calorific value, and ash content affect how much fuel is released and how completely combustion proceeds. Particle size and surface area influence ignition likelihood and burning rate. The material's chemical composition, including inhibitors or accelerants, and the availability of oxygen in the surrounding environment also play roles.

Measures and tests used to assess burnability include calorific value (higher is generally more burnable for energy purposes), moisture and ash content, and ignition-related parameters such as ignition temperature and required ignition energy. Limiting oxygen index and burn rate tests provide standardized assessments of how a material behaves in controlled combustion. In practice, burnability is often considered alongside emission potential and residue formation.

Applications of burnability assessments include selecting feedstocks for incineration or gasification plants, designing dryers and pre-treatment steps for waste, and evaluating materials for safety and regulatory compliance. In construction and consumer products, burnability ratings inform product labeling and risk assessments.

Environmental and safety considerations arise because high burnability can yield rapid energy release and potentially high emissions if combustion is incomplete. Therefore, controlled combustion conditions, proper air supply, and emission controls are essential. Burnability is related to, but distinct from, flammability and combustibility, and is treated as part of broader fuel and fire risk assessment.