Some experimental studies of laminar burning velocity.

Abstract

One of the important physical parameters in flame propagation is the laminar burning velocity. A great many experimental measurements of the burning velocity have been made using a variety of experimental techniques. Furthermore, the problem has been studied theoretically by a number of different investigators. Extensive references to the original literature may be found in the books by Lewis and von Elbe(1) and by Jost(2). This thesis is concerned with experimental studies of flame propagation in acetylene-oxygen systems containing the inert gases argon, carbon dioxide, helium, and nitrogen. These studies are introduced with a survey of experimental techniques for measuring the laminar burning velocity in premixed gases. Next, some new experimental measurements obtained by use of a small burner tube at atmospheric pressure are described. The new data are interpreted qualitatively by utilizing a thermal theory of laminar flame propagation.