Determination of the minimum ignition energy on the basis of a statistical approach

•We examine safety characteristics MIE on the basis of logistic regression function.•Specific measurement uncertainties are assigned to the experimental data.•Logistic regression is suitable to describe the ignition transition range.•Ignition probabilities below 1% can be assigned to the existing MIE.•Ignition probability and measurement uncertainty explain heterogeneous MIE data.

Based on existing MIE test results and new measurements, a statistical analysis for the MIE of hydrogen, ethene and propane is made by means of the logistic regression. The conditions necessary to carry out such an approach are discussed. It is shown that MIE values which are connected with a certain ignition probability could be determined adequately and lead to a more sophisticated result, also with regard to measurement uncertainties. This, in turn, leads to a better comparability and a higher informative content. At the same time, the MIEs of hydrogen, ethene and propane are reviewed. In doing so, a useful contribution to the discussion concerning the MIE of propane is made.