Note:

Lower Flammability Limit (LFL) determines the minimum concentration of a gas mixture that can ignite. Using Le Chatelier’s Rule, this equation helps predict fire hazards by assessing flammable gas mixtures.

Formula Breakdown:

• LFL_M: Overall lower flammability limit of the gas mixture (mol%).
• A_i: Molar fraction of the flammable gas in the mixture.
• LFL_i: Lower flammability limit of individual gases.

How to Interpret LFL_M:

• Low LFL_M (e.g., below 5 mol%) → Highly flammable: The gas mixture can ignite easily, even at low concentrations.
• Moderate LFL_M (5-15 mol%) → Flammable: The mixture poses a fire risk, but only at moderate concentrations.
• High LFL_M (above 15 mol%) → Less flammable: The gas mixture requires a high concentration to ignite.

Real-Life Applications:

• Fire Safety: Prevents explosions in industries handling volatile gases.
• Gas Storage: Ensures safe concentration levels in gas storage facilities.
• Chemical Plants: Helps in risk assessment for hazardous gas mixtures.

Conclusion:

If LFL_M is too low, the gas mixture is highly flammable and strict safety measures are required. Understanding LFL_M is essential for **fire prevention and explosion risk management**, making it a critical factor in industrial safety.