Introduction To Process Heating

To test a fluid for process heating, it is necessary to put it in a cup with a temperature probe. The cup is placed on a heat source, and a source of ignition (gas flame or electric arc) is placed at the top of the same cup. At this point the heat source turns on. As the fluid heats up it produces vapors. When the vapors produced come to be such that the cloud is inflamed by the living flame, the technician reads the temperature. This is the flash point.

Continuing to heat, the fluid produces more and more steam. When the phenomenon becomes a continuous flame, the technician reads the thermometer again. This is the point of flame. The flame source can be removed without consequences until the flame point is reached: the fluid remains as it is and oxidizes.