The Combustibility of Tobacco/Über die Brennfähigkeit von Tabak

On the basis of an improved method of determining the combustibility of tobacco comprehensive investigations were carried out of factors which influence combustibility. On the strength of statistical studies of the correlations, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The most precise unit of measurement of the combustion of tobacco leaf is the product of “duration of combustion” and “amount of substances burnt” (secs. × mg).

2. The mineral components influence combustibility variously, K2O positively, Cl-, Na₂O, Fe₂O₃ and P₂O₅ negatively, whilst SO₄- -, SiO₂, CaO and MgO have no influence.

3. The coefficients of combustibility suggested up till now, which are based solely on the composition of the mineral components, demonstrate only a very weak correlation.

4. Isolated groups of organic substances demonstrate no incisive correlation to combustibility.

5. The concentration of all organic substances in the volume unit, the “substance density”, shows a high, negative correlation to combustibility; the “porosity” of the leaf is also clearly correlated to combustibility.

6. Combustibility is influenced by the combined action of part of the inorganic components, the concentration of organic substances in the volume unit and the porosity of the leaf. The combustibility index (C.I.), which was ascertained on the strength of these combined actions, seems to be the most suitable indicator of combustibility.