Laminar burning velocity of stoichiometric methane-air: pressure and temperature dependence

Abstract

Refinements to the spherical constant volume bomb method are reported which enable more accurate measurements of laminar burning velocity to be made than previously possible. Data is presented for stoichiometric methane-air mxitures in the ranges of unburnt gas pressures and temperatures of 0.06 ⩽ p ⩽ 0.228 MPa and 290 ⩽ T u ⩽ 525 K respectively. These include an assessment of flame front thickness effects and a calculation of instantaneous spatially averaged burnt gas density. Over most of the range of values reported the error in burning velocity is less than 5%. A suggested simplification removes the need for much of the sophistication which has previously deterred many from using this method of measurement.