autoignition
Heat-triggered fuel combustion
Autoignition is the spontaneous ignition of a fuel without an external spark or flame, occurring when temperature and pressure reach a critical threshold.
In engines, unwanted autoignition causes knock—the fuel-air mixture ignites before the spark plug fires.
The autoignition temperature of a substance is the minimum temperature at which it will ignite on its own: Gasoline has a lower autoignition temperature than diesel.
Releasing energy as heat
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- self-heatingProduces warmth independently
- flammabilityEase of catching fire
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
thermolysis · autoxidation · decomposition · vaporization · combustibles · hydrocarbons · kinetics · reactivity
Compression-ignition fuel
- knockStrike-produced sound
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
timing · turbocharger · four-stroke · two-stroke · supercharger · intake · gasoline · anti-knock
Source of potential harm
- detectorDevice that senses
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- flame-retardantInhibits ignition and burning
- fireproofingMaking materials resist combustion
containment · sprinkler · extinguisher · ventilation · NFPA · classification
Combustible sedimentary rock
- hayDried feed crop
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
silane · nitrocellulose · wood-chips · peat · manure · magnesium · titanium · zirconium
exothermic
Releasing energy as heat
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- self-heatingProduces warmth independently
- flammabilityEase of catching fire
pyrolysis · thermolysis · autoxidation · decomposition · vaporization · combustibles · hydrocarbons · kinetics · reactivity
diesel
Compression-ignition fuel
- knockStrike-produced sound
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
piston · timing · turbocharger · four-stroke · two-stroke · supercharger · intake · gasoline · anti-knock
hazard
Source of potential harm
- detectorDevice that senses
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- flame-retardantInhibits ignition and burning
fireproofing · containment · sprinkler · extinguisher · ventilation · NFPA · classification
coal
Combustible sedimentary rock
phosphorus · silane · nitrocellulose · wood-chips · peat · manure · magnesium · titanium · zirconium
- heat and fireburn, flame, blaze, combust, incinerate
- combustionburning, flames, fire triangle, oxygen, fuel supply
- fire sciencefire behavior, fire spread, combustion, flames, burning
- fuel propertiesoctane, flash point, viscosity, energy density, vapor pressure
- igniterslighter, match, spark plug, flint, firestarter