polttoilman

Polttoilman is a term used in Finnish engineering to denote the air supplied for combustion in fuel-burning equipment. In English, this corresponds to combustion air. The word appears in technical standards, system designs, and safety manuals to refer to the air provided for burning fuel.

Essentially, polttoilman provides the oxygen necessary for oxidation. Its quantity, temperature, and quality influence flame stability, combustion efficiency, and emissions. It may be drawn from outdoor air or, in enclosed spaces, from indoor air that has been conditioned or tempered. In modern installations, combustion air is delivered by dedicated ducts, dampers, and fans, and is sometimes mixed with recirculated air to meet space constraints or energy efficiency goals.

There are two common approaches in boiler and furnace design: forced-draft systems that push air into the combustion chamber and induced-draft systems that pull exhaust and air through the chamber. The control of polttoilman is integrated with the overall fuel-air ratio control, often using oxygen sensors or flue gas analyzers to optimize efficiency and limit emissions.

Safety considerations include ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent accumulation of carbon monoxide in occupied spaces and avoiding backdraft conditions. Regulatory codes specify minimum air volumes and duct design for combustion air supply, as well as clearance and sealing requirements to prevent ingress of combustion gases into living areas.

In Finnish language references, polttoilman is a standard term for combustion air, whereas in English-language texts the term combustion air is used. The concept is fundamental across heating, power generation, and industrial processing equipment.