What is the term for the amount of air required beyond the theoretical air for complete combustion?

The term for the amount of air required beyond the theoretical air for complete combustion is known as excess air. In the context of combustion processes, theoretical air refers to the precise amount of air needed for completely burning a given amount of fuel. However, in practical applications, it is necessary to provide more air than theoretically calculated to ensure complete combustion and reduce the production of pollutants like carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons.

Excess air helps to ensure that all available fuel is fully combusted, leading to more efficient energy production and lower emissions. This is particularly important in industrial applications where optimizing combustion efficiency can result in significant cost savings and compliance with environmental regulations. Ensuring sufficient excess air can also help in maintaining stable combustion conditions and preventing issues such as flame instability.

The other terms provided do not accurately capture this concept. Deficient air would imply a lack of oxygen necessary for combustion, while surplus air might be used colloquially, but it’s less specific compared to the standard term of excess air. Balanced air would suggest that the amount of air provided matches the theoretical requirement, which contradicts the need for additional air for complete combustion. Hence, excess air is the correct term.