Experimental study of nonfuel hydrocarbon concentrations in coflowing partially premixed methane/air flames

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Combustion and Flame

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-2180(99)00017-6· OSTI ID:20000565

McEnally, C S; Pfefferle, L D

Centerline measurements have been made of temperature, CH{sub 4}, P{sub 2}, CO{sub 2}, and C2 to C12 nonfuel hydrocarbons in a CH{sub 4}/air nonpremixed coflowing flame and in five partially premixed coflowing flames with primary equivalence ratios varying rom 12.3 to 2.5. Partial premixing decreases the flame height and thereby compresses all of the profiles towards the burner furnace, so a nondimensional vertical coordinate has been developed to account for this and make other effects more apparent. The temperature and major species results show that partial premixing reduces radial heat and mass transfer in the lower part of the flames, and causes an inner rich premixed flame front to form at one-half the height of the outer flame front. Partial premixing increases the mole fractions of the oxygenated hydrocarbons CH{sub 2}O and C{sub 2}H{sub 2}O to hundreds of parts per million, and of C{sub 2}H{sub 4}O and C{sub 3}H{sub 4}O to parts per million. The mole fractions of regular hydrocarbons are decreased by partial premixing, in roughly the same proportion as they are reduced by dilution with nitrogen, which suggests that fuel dilution is the primary cause. The decrease in concentrations is progressively greater for larger hydrocarbons. In the flames that exhibit a double flame structure, nonfuel hydrocarbons are formed inside the inner rich premixed flame front, peak at this front, and are completely consumed in the region between the flame fronts.

• Research Organization: Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (US)
• OSTI ID: 20000565
• Journal Information: Combustion and Flame, Journal Name: Combustion and Flame Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 118; ISSN CBFMAO; ISSN 0010-2180
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
CARBON DIOXIDE
COMBUSTION KINETICS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
FLAMES
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROCARBONS
MASS TRANSFER
METHANE