Ethanol - flash point & ignition temp question (1 Viewer)

[Rawf]

So in comparison to petroleum, does ethanol have a higher or lower flash point, and a higher or lower ignition temp?
What exactly are the differences between 'flash point' and 'ignition temp' and what are the advantages of it?

 

[theind1996]

Flash Point: the minimum temperature at which the vapour pressure of the fuel is just enough to form a combustible mixture in air.

Ignition Temperature: The minimum temperature to which a combustible fuel oxidiser mixture must be heated for it to ignite spontaneously.

The flash point of ethanol is higher than that of petrol. Therefore, combustible mixtures of ethanol vapour are not as readily formed in cold climates.

Ethanol’s ignition temperature is lower than that of petrol, so a combustible mixture will more readily ignite.

Ethanol has a wider flammability limit in air compared with that of petrol. Thus a 10% mixture of petrol and air it too high a fuel concentration to burn, but ethanol will burn ignite and burn.

 

[Rawf]

Flash Point: the minimum temperature at which the vapour pressure of the fuel is just enough to form a combustible mixture in air.

Ignition Temperature: The minimum temperature to which a combustible fuel oxidiser mixture must be heated for it to ignite spontaneously.

The flash point of ethanol is higher than that of petrol. Therefore, combustible mixtures of ethanol vapour are not as readily formed in cold climates.

Ethanol’s ignition temperature is lower than that of petrol, so a combustible mixture will more readily ignite.

Ethanol has a wider flammability limit in air compared with that of petrol. Thus a 10% mixture of petrol and air it too high a fuel concentration to burn, but ethanol will burn ignite and burn.

Thanks heaps for the clear answer about flash points & ignition temperatures. So basically we need to attain flash point before it can be ignited?
And what do you mean by 'Ethanol has a wider flammability limit in air'? Is ethanol more or less volatile than petrol?