What is the term for air supplied to a flame at the point of combustion?

The term for air supplied to a flame at the point of combustion is primary air. Primary air is critical because it is mixed with the fuel before the combustion process begins, allowing the fuel to ignite efficiently and burn properly. The air-fuel mixture must be suitably balanced to ensure complete combustion, which maximizes energy efficiency and minimizes pollutants.

Secondary air, while related, refers to additional air that may be introduced after the initial combustion starts. This extra air helps to ensure complete combustion of the remaining fuel and can improve efficiency and reduce emissions by allowing for better mixing with the combustion products.

Tertiary air and excess air are terms used in more advanced combustion calculations. Tertiary air typically refers to additional air introduced well after the primary ignition and combustion phase, while excess air refers to the surplus air supplied beyond the stoichiometric requirement needed for complete combustion. It is often used to ensure that there is enough oxygen available to burn all the fuel completely.

Overall, understanding these distinctions is crucial in the context of combustion processes and gas systems, especially concerning efficiency and emissions.