Definitions LEL

Flammability limits, also called flammable limits, give the proportion of combustible gases in a mixture,
between which limits this mixture is flammable. Gas mixtures consisting of combustible, oxidizing, and
inert gases are only flammable under certain conditions. The lower flammable limit (LFL) describes the
leanest mixture that still sustains a flame, i.e. the mixture with the smallest fraction of combustible gas,
while the upper flammable limit (UFL) gives the richest flammable mixture.
There is a quantitative difference between flammability limits and explosive limits. In an explosive
mixture the fuel oxidizer mixture is closer to stoichiometric proportion. This difference has no practical
application in safety engineering as the flammable vapor cloud is turbulent and the exact mixture of
fuel and oxidizer varies greatly. Therefore, many references use the term flammability limit(LFL, UFL)
and explosive limit (LEL, UEL) interchangeably.
Attaining the perfect combustible or explosive mixture between a fuel and air is important in internal
combustion engines, for example in gasoline or diesel engines.
A deflagration is a propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity less than the speed of sound in the
unreacted medium. A detonation is a propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity greater than the
speed of sound in the unreacted medium. An explosion is the bursting or rupture of an enclosure or
container due to the development of internal pressure from a deflagration or detonation as defined in
NFPA 69.
Lower Explosive Limit
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): The lowest concentration (percentage) of a gas or a vapor in air capable
of producing a flash of fire in presence of an ignition source (arc, flame, heat). At a concentration in air
below the LEL there is not enough fuel to continue an explosion. Concentrations lower than the LEL
are "too lean" to explode but may still deflagrate. Methane gas has a LEL of 4.4% (at 138 degrees C)
by volume, meaning 4.4% of the total volume of the air consists of methane. At 20 degrees C the LEL
is 5.1 % by volume. If the atmosphere has less than 5.1% methane, an explosion cannot occur even if
a source of ignition is present. When methane(CH4)concentration reaches 5.1% an explosion can
occur if there is an ignition source. LEL concentrations vary greatly between combustible gases.
Percentage reading on combustible air monitors should not be confused with the LEL concentrations.
Explosimeters designed and calibrated to a specific gas may show the relative concentration of the
atmosphere to the LEL - the LEL being 100%. A 5% displayed LEL reading for methane, for example,
would be equivalent to 5.1% multiplied by 5%, or approximately 0.25% methane by volume at 20
degrees C. Control of the explosion hazard is usually achieved by sufficient natural or mechanical
ventilation, to limit the concentration of flammable gases or vapors to a maximum level of 25% of their
Lower Explosive or Flammable Limit.
Upper Explosive Limit
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): Highest concentration (percentage) of a gas or a vapor in air capable of
producing a flash of fire in presence of an ignition source (arc, flame, heat). Concentration higher than
UFL or UEL are "too rich" to burn.
Influence of temperature, pressure and composition
Flammability limits of mixtures of several combustible gases can be calculated using Le Chatelier's
mixing rule for combustible volume fractions xi:

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and similar for UEL.

Temperature, pressure, and the concentration of the oxidizer also influences flammability limits. Higher
temperature results in lower LFL and higher UFL, while greater pressure increases both values. The
effect of pressure is very small at pressures below 10 millibar and difficult to predict, since it has only
been studied in internal combustion engines with a turbocharger.
Oxygen enriched atmospheres lower the LFL and increase the UFL. An atmosphere devoid of an
oxidizer is neither flammable or explosive regardless of the fuel gas concentration. Increasing the
fraction of inert gases in an air mixture raises the LFL and decreases the UFL.

Table LEL / UEL

Fuel Gas

"Lower Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(LEL/LFL)
(%)

"Upper Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(UEL/UFL)
(%)

Acetaldehyde

60

Acetone

2.6

12.8

Acetylene

2.5

81

Ammonia

15

28

Arsine

5.1

78

Benzene

1.35

6.65

n-Butane

1.86

8.41

iso-Butane

1.80

8.44

iso-Butene

1.8

9.0

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Fuel Gas

"Lower Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(LEL/LFL)
(%)

"Upper Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(UEL/UFL)
(%)

Butylene

1.98

9.65

Carbon Disulfide

1.3

50

Carbon Monoxide

12

75

Cyclohexane

1.3

Cyclopropane

2.4

10.4

Diethyl Ether

1.9

36

Ethane

12.4

Ethylene

2.75

28.6

Ethyl Alcohol

3.3

19

Ethyl Chloride

3.8

15.4

Fuel Oil No.1

0.7

Hydrogen

75

Isobutane

1.8

9.6

Isopropyl Alcohol

12

Gasoline

1.4

7.6

Kerosine

0.7

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Fuel Gas

"Lower Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(LEL/LFL)
(%)

"Upper Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(UEL/UFL)
(%)

Methane

15

Methyl Alcohol

6.7

36

Methyl Chloride

10.7

17.4

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

1.8

10

Naphthalene

0.9

5.9

n-Heptane

1.0

6.0

n-Hexane

1.25

7.0

n-Pentene

1.65

7.7

Neopentane

1.38

7.22

Neohexane

1.19

7.58

n-Octane

0.95

3.20

iso-Octane

0.79

5.94

n-Pentane

1.4

7.8

iso-Pentane

1.32

9.16

Propane

2.1

10.1

Propylene

2.0

11.1

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Fuel Gas

"Lower Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(LEL/LFL)
(%)

"Upper Explosive or
Flammable Limit"
(UEL/UFL)
(%)

Silane

1.5

98

Styrene

1.1

6.1

Toluene

1.27

6.75

Triptane

1.08

6.69

p-Xylene

1.0

6.0

Note! The limits indicated are for gas and air at 20oC and atmospheric pressure.
It is important that areas where flammable gases are stored are well ventilated. When
designing the ventilation systems, be aware of the specific gravity of the actual gas. The gas
mixture from a leakage will not be homogeneous. and a light gas concentrates along the
ceiling. A heavy gas concentrates along the floor.

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