What occurs during over-ventilated combustion?

During over-ventilated combustion, the increased supply of oxygen allows the fire to burn more efficiently, typically leading to the completion of the combustion process. With ample oxygen available, the fuel can burn completely, resulting in the primary products of combustion: carbon dioxide and water vapor. This is a characteristic of well-ventilated fires where the combustion process is optimized, and it represents a shift away from incomplete combustion, which is associated with the production of harmful by-products like carbon monoxide and soot.

In contrast, conditions that lead to high levels of smoke or soot, or reduced fire intensity, do not occur in an over-ventilated environment. Instead, the efficiency of combustion is maximized, minimizing the risks associated with incomplete combustion by ensuring that the fire consumes more of the available fuel and produces fewer hazardous by-products. Additionally, excessive flames may occur in certain combustion scenarios, but in an over-ventilated situation, it is the efficiency and completeness of the combustion that stands out, making the presence of carbon dioxide and water the primary products.