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3: Gaseous Fuel Combustion

  • Page ID
    66684
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    Learning Objectives
    • Describe how heat sources initiate fire.
    • Explain how temperature and pressure change the state of matter.
    • Demonstrate how temperature and pressure change the state of matter.
    • Demonstrate ignition temperature.

    This unit is the first of three units that will examine fires based on the state of matter the fuel is in. Each of these units will include concepts that are unique to the fuels' state as well as concepts that will carry over into the following units. This unit examines fires based on fuels in a gaseous state of matter.

    • 3.1: Gaseous Fuels and Flammability
      This page covers the key characteristics and behaviors of gaseous fuels necessary for combustion. It explains flammability limits, stoichiometric reactions, and vapor density.
    • 3.2: Ignition and Propagation
      This page explains ignition. It defines autoignition and piloted ignition. Additionally, it covers flame propagation and distinguishes between detonation and deflagration.
    • 3.3: Pressure and Gas Laws
      This page covers vapor pressure and its significance in events like BLEVE, emphasizing the risks of increased pressure in pressurized tanks during fires. It also outlines key gas laws.
    • 3.4: Summary
      This page reviews key aspects of fire behavior related to gaseous fuels.
    • 3.5: Review
      This page includes review questions related to course material on gaseous fuels and combustion.


    This page titled 3: Gaseous Fuel Combustion was last modified on Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:07:34 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Robert Smith.

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