Variation of flame shape and soot emission by applying electric field

Abstract

This paper deals with the variation of flame shape and soot emission for acetylene diffusion flame by applying electric field. The experimental results showed that the shape of flame changes remarkably with the applied voltage and the electrode gap, especially circular cone-shaped flame was observed at applied voltage over 7 kV in the case of the electrode gap of zero. Soot emission from the diffusion flame decreased with increasing applied voltage. The soot emission was suppressed remarkably by applying electric field, and the efficiency of soot suppression exceeded 90% in a high-voltage region over 7 kV. Also, the flame temperature increased with increasing the applied voltage and reached up to 2000°C when the high voltages over 7 kV were applied. The soot suppression was caused by high flame temperature due to the ionic wind which enhanced the mixing of the fuel gas and surrounding gas.