fuelburning

Fuel burning is a chemical reaction in which a fuel reacts rapidly with an oxidizer, releasing energy as heat and often light. Most common fuels are hydrocarbons that burn in air, though other chemical classes can burn as well. The process is exothermic, and sustained burning requires heat to overcome an activation barrier, a sufficient supply of fuel, and enough oxidizer to keep the reaction going.

For hydrocarbon fuels, the principal reaction can be summarized as CxHy + (x + y/4) O2 -> x CO2 + (y/2) H2O. Complete combustion occurs when air is abundant, yielding mainly carbon dioxide and water. Incomplete combustion happens with limited oxygen or poor mixing, producing carbon monoxide, soot, and other byproducts. The flame type and efficiency depend on mixing, temperature, and residence time; premixed and nonpremixed flames are common categories.

Fuels include natural gas, gasoline, diesel, biofuels, coal, and biomass. Burning occurs in devices such as furnaces, boilers, engines, and turbines. Control of fire involves maintaining appropriate air-fuel ratios, flame stabilization, and good heat transfer. Advanced systems employ staged combustion, lean-burn strategies, or aftertreatment to optimize performance and emissions.

Efficiency of burning systems is influenced by design, heat recovery, and operating conditions, but high temperatures can increase pollutant formation. Emissions from burning varied fuels include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulates. Mitigation measures include catalytic converters, selective catalytic or non-catalytic reduction, desulfurization, and particulate filtration.

Safety considerations cover fuel handling, storage, ventilation, and fire protection. Improper burning can cause toxic or hazardous atmospheres, explosions, or structural damage. Regulations commonly govern emissions limits, efficiency standards, and reporting requirements, driving development of cleaner technologies and alternative energy sources.