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The lower flammable limit (LFL) is the lowest concentration of
a
flammable material in air that can be ignited. The upper flammable
limit (UFL) is
the highest concentration that can be ignited. Any concentration
between the LFL
and the UFL can be ignited if an ignition source is present. Both
LFL and UFL
are usually measured for concentrations of flammable chemicals in
air. The LFL
and UFL values depend on the temperature of the system, and to a
lesser extent,
the pressure. Flammability limits are usually measured at ambient
conditions,
about 25 /C and atmospheric pressure. The flash point temperature
of a liquid is
the lowest temperature at which the liquid surface can be ignited.
The flash point
is normally measured at atmospheric pressure..
There are many instances in chemical processes when multi
component liquid mixtures are processed at temperatures above their
atmospheric
pressure bubble point. The pressure under which processing takes
place must
then be kept above the bubble point pressure of the mixture in
order to prevent the
mixture from vaporizing. If process pressures become too high, the
liquid
mixture will be vented through a relief valve to a lower pressure,
usually
atmospheric pressure. When the pressure is reduced, part of the
liquid will flash
to vapor and part will remain as a liquid. Proper design of relief
systems requires
that the vapor and liquid thus formed be disposed of without being
discharged to
the air or water at the plant.