Introduction to

Combustion
Aiza A. Patadlas
Instructor
Topics to be discussed:
➔ Definition of Combustion
➔ Motivation to Study Combustion
➔ Combustion Modes and Flame Types
➔ Approach to Studying Combustion
Definition of Combustion

Combustion is defined as a “rapid oxidation generating heat, or both light and heat; also,
slow oxidation accompanied by relatively little heat and no light.”

Example:
a. Short video on what is combustion?
Motivation To Study Combustion
Applications:

● Household Chores/Common Activities

● Power Plants
● Transportation System
● Industrial Processes

Disadvantage:

● Environmental Pollution
○ Hydrocarbons
○ Nitrogen Oxide
○ Carbon Monoxide
○ Sulfur Oxide
○ etc.
● Boiler
● Refinery
● Fluid Heaters
● Organic Fume
Incinerators
Combustion Modes and Flame Types
● Flame
○ Premixed Flames
○ Non-Premixed Flames
● Non-Flame

Figure 1.(a) Flame and (b) non-flame modes of combustion in a spark-ignition engine. Autoignition of the mixture ahead of the
propagating flame is responsible for engine knock.
Approach To Our Study
● Physical Properties/Sciences
○ Thermochemistry
● Molecular Transport of Mass and Heat
● Chemical Kinetics
● Fluid Mechanics
● Laminar Premixed Flames and Laminar Diffusion Flames
● Turbulent Flames and Applications
● Combustion of Solids
● Pollutant Emissions
● Detonations
● Fuels
END
Questions?