1. Combustion basics

1.1 Definitions

Typical fuels are hydrocarbon compounds. In the vast majority of applications, the oxidizer is ambient air. Combustion gases or fumes are the gaseous (or even partially liquid in the form of mists) products of combustion, while ashes are the solid products (unburnt solids, mineral elements contained in the raw fuel).

Fuel and oxidizer are the reactants, while combustion gases or fumes, and possibly ash, are the products of the reaction.

In the case of rapid combustion, which develops from chain reactions and is the only type of...