MBMS analysis of a fuel-lean ethylene flame

Abstract

A one-dimensional laminar C 2H 4/O 2/Ar flame was analyzed with a molecular-beam mass spectrometer (MBMS) system. Profiles of concentration, area expansion ratio and temperature were measured for a C 2H 4/O 2/56.9% Ar (φ = 0.75) flame at 4.000 ± 0.001 kPa (30.00 Torr) and 30.0 cm/s burner velocity (at 300K). Full concentration profiles were mapped for 22 stable and radical species, while point measurements were made for seven other species. These mole fraction data are valuable for inference of kinetics and testing of reaction mechanisms. Elemental flux deviations were less than 15% in the flame zone and less than 4% in the post-flame zone supporting the data’s accuracy and reliability. Flux balance calculations were also used to obtain the net rate of destruction for C 2H 4 and C 2H 3. New values of the rate constants for C 2H 4 + H → C 2H 3 + H 2, C 2H 4 + OH → C 2H 3 + H 2O and C 2H 3 → C 2H 2 + H were supported by the agreement between measured rates and the rates predicted from measured temperatures, measured mole fractions, and the new rate constants.