ash-content

ash-content

The chemist measures the ash-content of the sample.

Definition

Noun: - Chemical or industrial term: "ash-content" refers to the amount of inorganic residue remaining after a substance (such as coal, wood, food, or fuel) is completely burned. It is expressed as a percentage of the original weight and indicates the non-combustible mineral matter present.

Usage Examples
  • (The proportion of non-burnable minerals is excessive.)
  • (The analysis quantified the leftover mineral residue after combustion.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Low ash-content": Indicates a high-quality fuel or material with minimal non-combustible residue.
    • Premium diesel fuel is characterized by a low ash-content. (It leaves very little solid waste after burning.)
  • "Ash-content analysis": A specific chemical procedure to determine the mineral residue in a sample.
    • The ash-content analysis revealed traces of silica and iron oxide. (The test identified the types of inorganic compounds present.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Ash (n): the powdery residue left after something is burned.
    • Volcanic ash covered the town. (Fine particles from a volcano.)
  • Content (n): the amount of a particular substance contained in something.
    • The moisture content of the wood affects its burning efficiency. (The level of water present.)
Synonyms
  • Mineral residue: the inorganic matter left after combustion.
  • Non-combustible fraction: the portion of a material that does not burn.
Related Idioms
  • "Reduce to ash": To burn something completely.
    • The fire reduced the old building to ash. (It destroyed it entirely by fire.)
  • "Ash and dust": A phrase symbolizing total destruction or worthlessness.
    • His dreams turned to ash and dust after the failure. (His hopes were completely ruined.)