The Ignition of Methane/Ethane Boundary Layer Flows by Heated Catalytic Surfaces

Abstract

Abstract The influence of catalytic activity on the boundary layer ignition of ethane/methane fuel mixtures was studied. Using laser-induced fluorescence, spatially resolved measurements of O and OH radical concentration were made in boundary layers formed over platinum and quartz surfaces. The data were used to determine the effect of platinum catalyzed surface reactions on the development of radical concentrations during the ignition of fuel mixtures of various ethane/methane compositions. The data suggest the production of O-atoms and OH radicals prior to gas phase ignition from the catalytic surface reactions. Methane ignition is accelerated by the addition of small amounts of ethane; ethane enhances methane ignition by increasing radical concentration. Catalytic surface reactions, however, reduce the sensitivity of ignition behavior to the ethane content of the fuel mixture. This study suggests that a catalytically stabilized thermal (CST) burner would be less sensitive to the ethane content of natural gas than a non-catalytic counterpart.