Computer study of the constant pressure auto-ignition of mixtures of ethane, methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in air

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6318793

Pfefferle, L D; Churchill, S W

The autoignition of mixtures of ethane, methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in air at atmospheric pressure was studied theoretically using a detailed, free-radical, kinetic model. The elementary reactions for the model were chosen with the help of the sensitivity analysis of Rabitz et al., which utilizes a Green's function transformation. This technique was particularly helpful in identifying those reactions which are important during the induction period prior to ignition. The effects of equivalence ratio, initial temperature and constant rate of heating were investigated for various fuel compositions. Induction times from 10 microns to 11.5 microsec were calculated for adiabatic ignition with initial temperatures from 1300 to 2100 K. Mixtures of pure methane and air were found to have long induction times, but small additions of ethane and even lesser additions of hydrogen, produced dramatic reductions. The flamefront was broadened significantly by large initial concentrations of carbon monoxide, due to its relatively slow rate of oxidation even at high temperature. 11 references.

• OSTI ID: 6318793
• Report Number(s): CONF-831111-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400800* -- Combustion
Pyrolysis
& High-Temperature Chemistry
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ELEMENTS
ETHANE
FLAME PROPAGATION
FUEL-AIR RATIO
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
IGNITION
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SIMULATION