Relative importance of nitric oxide formation mechanisms in laminar opposed-flow diffusion flames

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Combustion and Flame; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(91)90212-T· OSTI ID:5646830

Drake, M C; Blint, R J ^[1]

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1. Physical Chemistry Dept., General Motors Research Lab., Warren, MI (US)

The relative importance of the Zeldovich, N{sub 2}O, and Fenimore mechanisms for nitric oxide formation in stretched laminar opposed-flow diffusion flames with CH{sub 4}/N{sub 2} fuel is determined using model calculations that include detailed chemical kinetics (213 reactions and 45 molecular species) and realistic multi-component transport effects. For all values of stretch, the NO formation is dominated by the Fenimore mechanism, which contributes more than two thirds of the total NO formed. The remaining NO is formed approximately equally by the Zeldovich and N{sub 2}O mechanisms. The model calculations are compared with previous measurements in laminar opposed-flow CH{sub 4}/N{sub 2} diffusion flames at three values of stretch ({alpha} = 42, 70, and 140 s{sup {minus}1}). The model-experiment agreement (within 50 K for peak temperature and within a factor of 2 for peak NO{sub x} formed) supports the validity of the detailed chemical kinetic mechanism used. The Fenimore mechanism is expected to dominate NO formation in many laminar and turbulent hydrocarbon diffusion flames.

• OSTI ID: 5646830
• Journal Information: Combustion and Flame; (USA), Journal Name: Combustion and Flame; (USA) Vol. 83:1 and 2; ISSN 0010-2180; ISSN CBFMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
034000* -- Natural Gas-- Combustion
ALKANES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
DIFFUSION
ELEMENTS
FLAMES
FLUID FLOW
HYDROCARBONS
LAMINAR FLOW
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
THERMAL DIFFUSION