combustion
The process of burning, when something reacts with oxygen and gives off heat and often light.
A rapid chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen, releasing heat and often light, commonly known as burning.
The burning of fuel inside an engine to make power.
The controlled burning of fuel within an engine or similar device to release energy that can be converted into mechanical power.
A very excited or angry situation, when people or feelings are very active and tense.
A state of violent excitement, anger, or upheaval, especially in social or political situations.
- Base: combustion
- Plural: combustion, combustions
combustion chamber
1space where fuel burns in engine
The part of an engine or heater where fuel and air come together and burn.
- The mechanic found cracks in the combustion chamber of the engine.
- Modern jet engines carefully control the airflow through the combustion chamber.
- Carbon deposits had built up on the walls of the combustion chamber over time.
complete combustion
1burning with enough oxygen
Burning with enough oxygen so that the fuel changes completely, usually into carbon dioxide and water, with no unburned material.
- Complete combustion of natural gas mainly produces carbon dioxide and water vapor.
- Good air supply is needed to achieve complete combustion in a gas boiler.
- Incomplete rather than complete combustion is often responsible for carbon monoxide poisoning.
external combustion engine
1engine where fuel burns outside
An engine where fuel burns outside the main part that moves, and the heat is then used to do work.
- A steam engine is a classic example of an external combustion engine.
- Unlike internal combustion engines, external combustion engines burn fuel in a separate chamber.
- Some power plants still use large external combustion engines to drive generators.
incomplete combustion
1burning with too little oxygen
Burning with not enough oxygen, so the fuel does not burn completely and dirty or dangerous gases can be made.
- Incomplete combustion of gasoline can produce carbon monoxide and soot.
- Yellow flames in a gas stove can be a sign of incomplete combustion.
- Improving ventilation can reduce incomplete combustion in indoor stoves.
internal combustion engine
1engine where fuel burns inside
An engine, usually in cars or machines, where fuel burns inside the engine to make power.
- The internal combustion engine has powered cars for over a century.
- Electric vehicles are beginning to replace the traditional internal combustion engine in many cities.
- He wrote his thesis on ways to improve the efficiency of the internal combustion engine.
spontaneous combustion
1fire starting without ignition source
Burning that starts by itself, without a match, lighter, or other outside flame.
- Oily rags can cause spontaneous combustion if they are left in a closed space.
- The novel opens with a mysterious case of spontaneous combustion in an old house.
- Firefighters suspected spontaneous combustion in the pile of hay.
spontaneous combustion
2burning that starts by itself
Burning that starts by itself, without a match, flame, or spark from outside.
- Oily rags can cause fires through spontaneous combustion if they are left in a pile.
- The fire was not started by a person; investigators suspect spontaneous combustion of the hay.
- They discussed whether spontaneous combustion of the chemicals was a realistic risk.