Which term describes the temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapors to sustain combustion after ignition?

Which term describes the temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapors to sustain combustion after ignition?

• A. Fire Point
• B. Flash Point
• C. Ignition Temperature
• D. Auto Ignition Temperature

Answer: (A)

This question tests understanding of how vapors ignite and burn after ignition. The fire point is the temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapor to sustain combustion once an ignition source is present; the flame will continue to burn after the ignition source is removed. It’s higher than the flash point because more vapor must be produced to keep the flame going. The flash point is just the temperature where vapors can form an ignitable mixture and flash with a flame, but the flame may not continue once the source is removed. The ignition temperature (or minimum ignition temperature) is the temperature at which ignition occurs with an external heat source, but not necessarily sustainment. Auto-ignition temperature is the temperature at which the fuel will ignite spontaneously without any external flame or spark.

This question tests understanding of how vapors ignite and burn after ignition. The fire point is the temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapor to sustain combustion once an ignition source is present; the flame will continue to burn after the ignition source is removed. It’s higher than the flash point because more vapor must be produced to keep the flame going.

The flash point is just the temperature where vapors can form an ignitable mixture and flash with a flame, but the flame may not continue once the source is removed. The ignition temperature (or minimum ignition temperature) is the temperature at which ignition occurs with an external heat source, but not necessarily sustainment. Auto-ignition temperature is the temperature at which the fuel will ignite spontaneously without any external flame or spark.