itselämpenemiseltä

itselämpenemiseltä is an Estonian term that translates to "self-heating" in English. It refers to the process where a substance or material generates heat internally without any external heat source. This phenomenon typically occurs due to exothermic chemical reactions, biological processes, or physical changes within the material itself.

A common example of itselämpenemiseltä is the heating observed in compost piles. Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi break down organic matter, and these metabolic processes release heat as a byproduct. This internal heat generation can significantly raise the temperature of the compost, accelerating decomposition. Similarly, hay or grain stored in large quantities can undergo self-heating if moisture is present. Microbial activity in these materials can lead to rising temperatures, potentially causing spoilage or even spontaneous combustion in extreme cases.

Another instance is seen in certain industrial processes. For example, when finely divided metals like iron powder are exposed to air, they can oxidize and generate heat. If the heat cannot dissipate effectively, the temperature can increase, a phenomenon known as autoxidation or self-heating. Understanding and controlling itselämpenemiseltä is crucial in various fields, including agriculture, waste management, and industrial safety, to prevent material degradation, spoilage, and hazardous situations like fires.