Ignition or nonignition of a combustible solid with marginal heating

Abstract

The possibility of achieving ignition of a combustible solid with only marginal external heating is investigated. The heating barely raises the temperature to a level where reaction occurs. A parameter indicating the duration of time spent near the crucial level governs the ignition process. If the parameter is below a critical value, no thermal runaway can occur; if it is sufficiently large, ignition will be achieved.