Põlemistemperatuur

Põlemistemperatuur, also known as ignition temperature or autoignition temperature, refers to the lowest temperature at which a substance will spontaneously ignite in normal air without an external source of ignition such as a flame or spark. This temperature is a critical factor in fire safety and understanding the behavior of combustible materials.

Different substances have distinct põlemistemperatuurid. For example, wood ignites at a significantly higher temperature than certain volatile organic compounds. Factors such as the presence of oxygen, pressure, and the physical form of the substance can influence the actual ignition temperature. Finely divided solids, like dust, often have lower ignition temperatures than their bulk counterparts due to a larger surface area available for reaction with oxygen.

The concept of põlemistemperatuur is distinct from flash point, which is the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite momentarily when an ignition source is applied. Autoignition temperature is a more inherent property of the substance itself and does not require an external spark or flame. Understanding and controlling materials' põlemistemperatuur is essential in industrial processes, storage, and transportation to prevent fires and explosions. Safety regulations often specify maximum operating temperatures for equipment and processes to remain below the autoignition temperatures of the materials involved.