What is the flash point range of gasoline?
2 Answers
Gasoline has a flash point range between -50 to -20 degrees Celsius, making it a low flash point liquid that is prone to ignition due to static electricity. To ensure the safe transportation of gasoline, tanker operations should be equipped with reliable grounding devices and protective measures that establish conductive pathways between the tanker and receiving equipment. Measures to eliminate static electricity fires should be in place, including the installation of anti-static devices at the rear of the tanker. Metal pipelines of the tanker should have conductive strips at connection points between pipes and the tank body, as well as between the chassis and the tank body. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a flammable substance can ignite (instantaneous combustion). At the flash point temperature, only the vapor mixture formed by the liquid and air can burn, not the liquid itself. This is because, at the flash point, the evaporation rate of the liquid is relatively slow. During flash ignition, the vapor mixture burns out quickly, and the liquid does not have enough time to evaporate the necessary flammable vapor to sustain combustion, causing the flash ignition to stop. Although the flash ignition ceases, it indicates a significant fire hazard. Therefore, the flash point is a primary indicator of a fuel's fire risk. For homologous flammable liquids, the flash point follows certain trends: it increases with molecular weight, density, boiling point, and decreases with vapor pressure.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and the flash point range of gasoline is generally between -40°C and -45°C. This extremely low temperature means that gasoline vapor can still be ignited by a spark even when it's cold enough to freeze in winter. You really need to handle it with care—don't smoke or get near open flames when refueling. When I was younger, I almost had an accident in the garage. Luckily, I ventilated the area in time, or the consequences could have been unimaginable. When storing gasoline, keep it in a cool, well-ventilated place, use dedicated containers, and avoid careless spills. Safety is always the top priority. In short, there's a reason gasoline is so flammable—it makes engines easy to start, but safety comes first, so don't take it lightly.
