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The effect of time exposure of ethylene-air mixtures to elevated temperatures on their flammability limits

Book ·
OSTI ID:489035
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Calgary, Alberta (Canada). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

The flammability limits of ethylene in air were determined experimentally at elevated initial mixture temperatures up to 350 C at atmospheric pressure for upward flame propagation. Additionally the extent to which a prolonged exposure (i.e., residence time) of the mixture to elevated temperatures before spark ignition and, consequently, the existence of preignition reactions that may influence the value of the lean and rich flammability limits was also investigated. It was shown that at initial mixture temperature exceeding 250 C the rich flammability limit of ethylene was strongly affected by the residence time before spark ignition. It was suggested that the significant drop in the value of the rich limit with the increase in the residence time was caused by the relatively low temperature catalytic reactions on the stainless steel surface of the flame tube.

Sponsoring Organization:
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON (Canada); Canadian International Development Agency (Canada)
OSTI ID:
489035
Report Number(s):
CONF-970146--; ISBN 1-890277-04-5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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