Effect of pressure on structure and extinction of near-limit hydrogen counterflow diffusion flames

Abstract

Results of measurements of critical conditions for extinction and of temperature profiles in counterflow diffusion flames are reported. The fuel was a hydrogen–nitrogen mixture with 14mole percent hydrogen, and the oxidizer was air. Pressures ranged from 0.1MPa to 1.5MPa; measurements were made in a facility especially constructed for carrying out counterflow combustion experiments at high pressures. With increasing pressure, the strain rate at extinction first increases and then decreases, in qualitative agreement with predictions, but there are observable quantitative differences. Temperature profiles, obtained employing an R-type thermocouple at a fixed strain rate of 100/s, agree well with predictions, within experimental uncertainty. The results may help to improve knowledge of underlying chemical-kinetic and transport parameters at elevated pressures.