Chemical methods to control combustion, explosion and gas detonation

Abstract

The identification of the chain reactions of gas combustion at atmospheric and elevated pressures has created not only new features of combustion theory, but also wide opportunities for the effective management of the processes of combustion, explosion, and detonation. This can be improved by controlling the rates of multiplication and destruction of active intermediate particles: free atoms and radicals, using inhibitors and promoters. This article briefly describes the use of methods developed to prevent the ignition and explosion of methane in the air: including in coal mines; the ignition and explosion of hydrogen air mixtures; and of the transition of combustion into detonation in the ramjet engine. The results of interdepartmental tests are presented, as well as experimental data illustrating the destruction of a stationary detonation wave by small additives of simple hydrocarbons.