Premixed Reaction Zone Research Articles

A Numerical Investigation on Turbulent CH4-air Combustion Flames of a Multi-Regime Burner

ABSTRACT The interaction between premixed and non-premixed methane-air mixtures affect the flame structure. The flow field is improved by supplying the lean and rich mixture. The objective of this work is to study the effect of the re-circulation zone on premixed and non-premixed methane-air mixture in a multi-regime burner using numerically. The two-dimensional, axis symmetric, steady state, compressible turbulent reactive flow is simulated using standard k − ε model with the eddy dissipation concept (EDC). The chemical kinetics developed by the Gas Research Institute (CHEMKIN-II, GRI-3.0) has been combined with the governing equations using the open source CFD-tool box OpenFOAM. The flames have been tested for different equivalence ratios of jet ( ϕ j = 1.4, 1.8, 2.2, and 2.6) where, slot-1 velocity varied as 7.5 m / s and 15 m / s . The grid independent results of the temperature T and mixture fraction Z are found in a good agreement with the experimental data. The qualitative and quantitative study of the temperature T , mixture fraction Z , mass fraction of carbon monoxide Y CO , mass fraction of methane Y C H 4 and progress variable Y c have been presented. The results show that a lifted reaction zone close to the jet, and a re-circulation zone between the inner and outer premixed reaction zones, which stabilizes the combustion between slot-1 and slot-2. Increasing the jet equivalent ratio ϕ j reduces the temperature and extends the internal premixed reaction zone. This is due to the mixture fraction ratio Z exceeding the flammability limit near the jet exit, which occurs when Z is within the range of 0.027 to 0.09 . The maximum temperature value of approximately 2125 K is consistent with the variation in ϕ j . The re-circulation zone shows a constant temperature of 2000 K, where methane is completely burned and is not affected by the values of jet equivalent ratios.

Numerical Investigation of Partially Premixed Flames Under Transcritical Conditions

Understanding the characteristics of partially premixed flames (PPFs) under transcritical conditions is of critical importance for the development of fuel-rich staged rocket engines. While substantial progress has been achieved for transcritical non-premixed flames (NPFs), comparatively little effort has been made to investigate transcritical PPFs. To this end, a series of transcritical counterflow gaseous hydrogen/liquid oxygen (GH2/LOX) PPFs is simulated to investigate the thermodynamic structure of PPF and to examine the effects of molecular diffusion modeling, strain rate, and the equivalence ratio at the fuel-rich side on PPFs in physical space and mixture fraction space, as well as reduced temperature/reduced pressure space. The comparisons between the NPF and PPF demonstrate that the PPF exhibits a bimodal structure in physical space: a premixed reaction zone at the fuel inlet side and a non-premixed reaction zone at the oxidizer side. In mixture fraction space, the C-shaped structure of PPF is observed owing to the differential diffusion of species. It is found that the choice of molecular diffusion model has a significant impact on PPF structure. The presence of a loop at subcritical pressures in a reduced temperature/reduced pressure space is caused by the differential diffusion of species and the formation of [Formula: see text] in the non-premixed reaction zone. Furthermore, the results indicate that the premixed reaction zones in the PPFs are very sensitive to the change in strain rate and/or equivalence ratio of the premixed mixture at the fuel inlet side. For a given equivalence ratio, increasing strain rate can suppress the differential diffusion effect and the C-shaped structure, while it has a negligible impact on the non-premixed reaction and hence on loop formation.

Global instability phenomenon as a physical mechanism controlling dynamics of a nitrogen-diluted hydrogen flame

We investigate the dynamics of counter-current reacting flow under varying strengths of the counterflow and report the occurrence of global instability phenomena. This clarifies the role of global instability in the transition between attached and lifted flames. The research is performed with the help of the Large Eddy Simulation method using a high-order numerical method. The combustion process is modelled by applying detailed chemical kinetics for hydrogen combustion with chemical reaction terms computed from the resolved scale. The flow configuration consists of a central jet of nitrogen-diluted hydrogen fuel surrounded by an annular nozzle with a suction slot enforcing counterflow in the vicinity of the fuel stream. Suction strength is controlled by the ratio between the velocity in the suction slot (Usuc) and the velocity of the fuel jet (Uj) (I=Usuc/Uj). The Reynolds number based on the fuel parameters and the central nozzle diameter is Re=1600. Two values of the suction strength are considered (I=0.1,0.2) as well as the case without suction (I=0.0). A hot oxidizer (air) provided in the region outside the co-axial nozzle causes fuel auto-ignition far from the injection system after which the flame propagates downstream. It is shown that increasing the suction strength postpones the ignition and shifts its axial location downstream. Depending on the I parameter the flame stabilizes as attached (I=0.0,0.1) or lifted (I=0.2). It is shown that the flames in the cases with I=0.0,0.1 are very similar to each other appearing as laminar non-premixed flames both in the nozzle vicinity and far downstream. The flame in case I=0.2 is turbulent and much more dynamic. Its lifting is the result of global instability appearing at increased suction in the region of counter-current flow. It is shown that the global instability induces strong toroidal vortices that create a premixed reaction zone at the flame base. This flow structuring prevents upstream flame propagation and intensifies the mixing process ensuring almost complete fuel burning in a short distance from the nozzle.

Large eddy simulation of n-dodecane spray flame: Effects of injection pressure on spray combustion characteristics at low ambient temperature

The present study uses large-eddy simulations (LES) to identify the underlying mechanism that governs the ignition and stabilization mechanisms of ECN Spray A flame for different injection pressures (Pinj) and ambient temperatures (Tam). Two Pinj of 50 MPa and 150 MPa, as well as two Tam of 750 K and 900 K are considered. The numerical model is validated against the experimental fuel penetration, radial mixture fraction distribution, ignition delay time, and lift-off length. The combustion characteristics of all four spray flames are well predicted, with a maximum relative difference of 15% to the measurements. At 900 K, high-temperature ignition (HTI) occurs in the fuel-rich mixture at the spray head of the high Pinj spray flame, but at the spray periphery of the low Pinj spray flame. This is due to the low Pinj case having fuel-richer mixture in the inner spray region. Nonetheless, the spray flames at both Pinj exhibit double-flame structure. At 750 K, HTI occurs at the fuel-rich and fuel-lean regions for spray flames with Pinj=50 MPa and 150 MPa, respectively. Reducing the Pinj leads to a lower injection velocity, less turbulent fluctuation, slower mixing, and hence the occurrence of HTI at the fuel-rich mixtures. The spray flame in the low Pinj case at 750 K exhibits a triple-flame structure at the lift-off position, while the high Pinj case exhibits a lean premixed reaction zone. This difference is attributed to the distribution of fuel-rich mixtures. Despite differences in the flame structures, auto-ignition process plays a key role to stabilize the lift-off position for all four spray flames. The auto-ignition process is also found to be dependent on the cool-flame products upstream of the lift-off position. In particular for the low Tam cases, the heat transfer effect from the main flame to the fuel-rich regions is suggested to also contribute to the flame stabilization mechanisms.

Effects of methanol addition on the combustion characteristics of bio-diesel based counterflow nonpremixed flames

With the improvement of combustion technology and the prominence of emission-related environmental concerns, the combined application of macromolecular unconventional fuels (bio-diesel) and alcohol ether fuels in engines is being considered. In this study, the effect of methanol addition on the combustion characteristics of methyl decanoate (MD)/air counterflow nonpremixed flames were investigated using numerical simulation. Two addition strategies of methanol were employed: premixing methanol into MD on the fuel side, and partially premixing of methanol on the air side. The corresponding flames are respectively double-flames with a rich premixed reaction zone and a nonpremixed reaction zone, or triple-flames with an additional lean reaction zone close to the air side. Results showed that, with the increased methanol addition, the global parameters of the double-flames and triple-flames were altered to different degrees. The both strategies of methanol addition can widen the flame thickness, and comparatively, the broadened flames with air-side addition of methanol were more obvious. The introduction of methanol showed little direct effects on the oxidation and pyrolysis of MD, and the key kinetic roles on the production of the active intermediates, such as OH and H in the flame domain. For both premixing strategies, the integral production of OH and H in the flames were increased, and the flames with the air-side methanol addition present the more significant production.

The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on NH3/O2 Counterflow Diffusion Flames

The impact of adding H2O2 in the fuel stream on the structure of non-premixed opposed-flow NH3/O2 flames was investigated numerically using a verified computational tool and validated mechanism. The results illustrate the dual role of the added H2O2 within the fuel jet. A small amount of H2O2 within the NH3 stream acted as a fuel additive that enhanced the reaction rate via reducing the kinetic time scale. However, a novel flame structure appeared when the H2O2 mole fraction within the fuel stream increased to χH2O2 > 16%. Unlike the pure NH3/O2 flame, a premixed reaction zone was discerned on the fuel side, in which H2O2 reacts with NH3 and played the role of an oxidizer. Then, the remaining NH3 that survived premixed combustion continues reacting with O2 and forms a non-premixed flame. As a result of this structure, it was shown that the well-established conclusion of “near-equilibrium” non-premixed flame analysis in which the strain on the flame is determined by the momentum fluxes of the counter-flowing streams does not hold for the flames that were studied in this paper. It was also shown that when H2O2 acted as an oxidizer, it produced substantial amounts of HO2, which allowed for low-temperature formation of NO2 through the reaction of NO with HO2.

Stabilisation and extinction mechanisms of flames in cavity flameholder scramjets

Stabilising a flame in scramjet engines is a current technological challenge. Indeed, the residence time in the combustion chamber is very short, thus limiting the mixing efficiency and consequently, the combustion. This problem is presently addressed by simulating the scramjet combustor of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in which ethylene is injected from the back of a slanted cavity to react with the supersonic airflow. Large-Eddy Simulations (LESs) are performed for different cases showing a dependence of the combustion regimes encountered in the scramjet cavity with the fuel flow rate. For a medium–high flow rate, a mix of lean and rich premixed reaction zones is found along with non-premixed flames. At medium flow rate, rich premixed flames disappear but the flame remains stable in the cavity. The mechanism of flame stabilisation is detailed and the LES tool has proven its efficiency in such challenging configuration. Finally, a mechanism of extinction is proposed when the fuel flow rate is further reduced.

Characterization of multi-regime reaction zones in a piloted inhomogeneous jet flame with local extinction

Gradient free regime identification (GFRI) is applied to 1D Raman/Rayleigh/LIF measurements of temperature and major species from the intermediate velocity case of the Sydney piloted inhomogeneous jet flame series to better understand the structure of reaction zones and the downstream evolution of multi-regime characteristics. The GFRI approach allows local reaction zones to be detected and characterized as premixed, dominantly premixed, multi-regime, dominantly non-premixed, or non-premixed flame structures, based on flame markers (mixture fraction, chemical mode, and heat release rate) derived from the experimental data. The statistics of chemical mode zero-crossings, which mark premixed reaction zones, and the relative populations of flame structures are shown to be sensitive to the state of mixing in the near field of the flame and to the level of local extinction farther downstream. Multi-regime structures, where premixed and non-premixed reaction zones occur in close proximity and both contribute to overall heat release, account for nearly half the total population at streamwise locations within the first several jet diameters. There is a rapid transition within the near field whereby the relative population of non-premixed and dominantly non-premixed structures grows from 0.05 to nearly 0.5, and the population of premixed and dominantly premixed structures decreases correspondingly as fluid entering the reaction zone becomes progressively fuel-rich. Local extinction and re-ignition bring a resurgence in premixed-type structures, many of which occur at fuel-lean conditions. There are also modest populations of multi-regime structures, having chemical mode zero-crossings at lean conditions, which would not exist in a fully burning jet flame.

Assessing the relative importance of flame regimes in Raman/Rayleigh line measurements of turbulent lifted flames

Understanding and quantifying the relative importance of premixed and non-premixed reaction zones within turbulent partially premixed flames is an important issue for multi-regime combustion. In the present work, the recently-developed method of gradient-free regime identification (GFRI) is applied to instantaneous 1D Raman/Rayleigh measurements of temperature and major species from two turbulent lifted methane/air flames. Local premixed and non-premixed reaction zones are identified using criteria based on the mixture fraction, the chemical explosive mode, and the heat release rate, the latter two being calculated from an approximation of the full thermochemical state of each measured sample. A chemical mode (CM) zero-crossing is a previously documented marker for a premixed reaction zone. Results from the lifted flames show strong correlations among the mixture fraction at the CM zero-crossing, the magnitude of the change in CM at the zero-crossing, and the local heat release rate at the CM zero-crossing compared to the maximum heat release rate. The trends are confirmed through a comparable analysis of numerical simulations of two laminar triple flames. These newly documented trends are associated with the transition from dominantly premixed flame structures to dominantly non-premixed flames structures. The methods introduced for assessing the relative importance of local premixed and non-premixed reactions zones have potential for application to a broad range of turbulent flames.

Fuel unsaturation effects on NOx and PAH formation in spray flames

The effect of fuel unsaturation on NOx and PAH formation in spray flames is investigated at diesel engine conditions. The directed relation graph methodology is used to develop a reduced mechanism starting from the detailed CRECK mechanism (http://creckmodeling.chem.polimi.it/index.php/current-version-kinetic-mechanisms/low-and-high-temperature-complete-mechanism). The reduced mechanism and spray models are validated against the shock tube ignition data and high-fidelity, non-reacting and reacting spray data from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN). 3-D simulations are performed using the CONVERGE software to examine the structure and emission characteristics of n-heptane and 1-heptene spray flames in a constant-volume combustion vessel. Results indicate that the combustion under diesel engine conditions is characterized by a double-flame structure with a rich premixed reaction zone (RPZ) near the flame stabilization region and a non-premixed reaction zone (NPZ) further downstream. Most of NOx is formed via thermal NO route in the NPZ, while PAH species are mainly formed in the RPZ. A small amount of NO is also formed via prompt route in the RPZ, and via N2O intermediate route in the region outside NPZ, and via NNH intermediate route in the region between RPZ and NPZ. The presence of a double bond leads to higher flame temperature and thus higher NO in 1-heptene flame than that in n-heptane flame. It also leads to the increased formation of PAH species, implying increased soot emission in 1-heptene flame than that in n-heptane flame. Reaction path analysis indicate that the increased formation of PAH species can be attributed to the significantly higher amounts of 1,3-butadiene and allene formed due to β scission reactions resulting from the presence of double bond in 1-heptene.

A Study on Flame Structures in CH<sub>4</sub> Counterflow Partially Premixed Flame

An experimental and simulation work had been conducted to study a one-dimensional partially premixed methane/air counterflow flame in this paper. Flame images are obtained through experiments and computations using GRIMech 3.00 chemistry were performed for the flames studied. The partially premixing effects upon the flame were revealed by comparing the flame structures and emissions with premixed flames at the same equivalence ratio. The results show the premixed flame only has a single flame structure. However, PPF has distinct double flame structures at present equivalence ratio. Temperature is relatively high in the whole combustion zone for premixed flame, while, for PPF, there are two temperature peaks in a rich premixed reaction zone on the fuel side and a nonpremixed reaction zone on the oxidizer side respectively. For PPF, NO concentration in the nonpremixed zone is much higher compared to that in the rich premixed zone because of higher OH concentration in the nonpremixed zone.

Effect of Fuel Molecular Structure and Premixing on Soot Emissions from n-Heptane and 1-Heptene Flames

Most liquid fuels contain compounds with one or more unsaturated C═C bonds. Previous studies have observed that the fuel reactivity and ignition behavior are strongly influenced by the presence and number of double bonds in the fuel molecular structure. Here, we report a numerical investigation on the effect of fuel unsaturation on PAHs and soot emissions in partially premixed flames (PPFs) burning n-heptane and 1-heptene fuels. A detailed soot and fuel oxidation model is validated against gaseous species measurements in n-heptane PPF and soot measurements in ethylene diffusion flames. Simulations are performed to examine the effects of double bonds on PAHs and soot emissions at different strain rates and levels of premixing. For both fuels, the global flame structure is characterized by a rich premixed reaction zone (RPZ) on the fuel side and a nonpremixed reaction zone (NPZ) on the oxidizer side. PAHs and soot are mainly formed in the region between the RPZ and stagnation plane. The presence of double b...

Effects of primary breakup modeling on spray and combustion characteristics of compression ignition engines

Abstract Injector flow dynamics and primary breakup processes are known to play a pivotal role in determining combustion and emissions in diesel engines. In the present study, we examine the effects of primary breakup modeling on the spray and combustion characteristics under diesel engine conditions. The commonly used KH model, which considers the aerodynamically induced breakup based on the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, is modified to include the effects of cavitation and turbulence generated inside the injector. The KH model and the new (KH-ACT) model are extensively evaluated by performing 3-D time-dependent simulations with detailed chemistry under diesel engine conditions. Results indicate that the inclusion of cavitation and turbulence enhances primary breakup, leading to smaller droplet sizes, decrease in liquid penetration, and increase in the radial dispersion of spray. Predictions are compared with measurements for non-evaporating and evaporating sprays, as well as with flame measurements. While both the models are able to reproduce the experimentally observed global spray and combustion characteristics, predictions using the KH-ACT model exhibit closer agreement with measurements in terms of liquid penetration, cone angle, spray axial velocity, and liquid mass distribution for non-evaporating sprays. Similarly, the KH-ACT model leads to better agreement with respect to the liquid length and vapor penetration distance for evaporating sprays, and with respect to the flame lift-off location for combusting sprays. The improved agreement is attributed to the ability of the new model to account for the effects of turbulence and cavitation generated inside the injector, which enhance the primary breakup. Results further indicate that the combustion under diesel engine conditions is characterized by a double-flame structure with a rich premixed reaction zone near the flame stabilization region and a non-premixed reaction zone further downstream. This flame structure is consistent with the Dec’s model for diesel engine combustion (Dec, 1997) [1] , and well captured by a newly developed flame index based on the scalar product of CO and O2 mass fraction gradients.

Ionization and chemiluminescence during the progressive aeration of methane flames

Saturation currents and chemiluminescence, especially at the CH ∗ and C 2 ∗ wavelengths, are measured for a range of small, laminar methane flames during progressive addition of air, with the principal objective of distinguishing between pure diffusion flames, premixed flames of compositions falling between the upper and lower flammability limits, and the broad range of aerated flames lying in between these regimes. Flame areas defined by the loci of maximum luminosity and by schlieren contours were recorded, so that saturation current densities, CH ∗ and C 2 ∗ emission per unit flame area, as well as burning velocities could be deduced. For admixtures of less than 70 vol.%, air appears to act, surprisingly, as an inert diluent as regards saturation currents, so that saturation currents are essentially proportional to fuel flow alone. Much the same applies to chemiluminescence. However, schlieren contours, which were recorded both to provide a basis for burning velocity measurements and to explore density changes in the reactants, indicated the presence of a burner – stabilised propagating reaction zone ahead of the luminous flame surface starting at around 50 vol.% and possibly even at lower air admixtures. This evidence of a steep change in refractive index is indicative of a premixed reaction zone involving the added oxygen, which however generates no chemi-ionization and emits no light. Even photographing the flame by radiation emitted at the CH ∗ and C 2 ∗ wavelengths shows no sign of its existence. Its burning velocity is about 10 cm/s, when stabilized by the surrounding diffusion flame. The most plausible rationale for these observations is the formation of syngas by the partial oxidation of methane. The subsequent burning of CO and H 2 is known to occur without chemi-ionization or appreciable light emission.

Analysis of entropy generation in hydrogen-enriched methane–air propagating triple flames

A theoretical–numerical analysis based on the second law of thermodynamics is used to examine the propagation of laminar H 2-enriched CH 4–air flames. The analysis is based on computing the various entropy generation terms in a transient reacting flow field. A comprehensive, time-dependent computational model, which employs a detailed description of chemistry and transport, is used to simulate the transient ignition and flame propagation in this reacting flow field. Flames are ignited in a jet-mixing layer far downstream of the burner. Following ignition, a well-defined triple flame is formed that propagates upstream with nearly constant flame displacement speed along the stoichiometric mixture fraction line. As the flame approaches the burner, it transitions to a double flame, and subsequently to a burner-stabilized nonpremixed flame. The triple point exhibits the maximum entropy generation, indicating that this point is characterized by high chemical reactivity, as well as large temperature and mass fraction gradients. The volumetric entropy generation is the highest in the two premixed reaction zones, and the lowest in the nonpremixed reaction zone. In the premixed zones, the volumetric entropy generation due to chemical reaction is the highest, followed by heat conduction, and then mixing. The converse is true for the nonpremixed zone. However, the integrated entropy generation rate indicates that heat conduction is the major contributor, followed by chemical reactivity, and then mixing. As H 2 addition to methane fuel is increased, the integrated entropy generation increases primarily due to enhanced heat conduction and chemical reactivity. However, the contributions of heat conduction, chemical reactivity, and mixing to total entropy generation weakly depend on the fuel being burned. While the flame propagates upstream entropy generation increases and reaches a maximum when the flame exhibits a well-defined triple flame structure, and then decreases as the flame approaches the burner. The second law efficiency of the system remains nearly constant with H 2 addition, since the increased irreversibilities due to H 2 addition are compensated by the increase in the flow availability in the fuel blend.

An experimental and numerical study of stagnation point heat transfer for methane/air laminar flame impinging on a flat surface

A combined experimental and numerical study has been conducted to determine the stagnation point heat transfer for laminar methane/air flame impinging on a flat surface. Effects of Reynolds number, equivalence ratio and burner diameter on stagnation point heat flux were examined experimentally at different separation heights. Maximum stagnation point heat flux was obtained when the flat surface was closest to the tip of the inner premixed reaction zone. Heat flux decreased along the axial direction when the separation distance was further increased from the tip of inner reaction zone. There was a secondary rise in heat flux at the stagnation point at larger separation distances. Correlations were developed for stagnation point Nusselt number. Numerical simulations were carried out using a commercial CFD code (FLUENT) for laminar methane/air flame impinging on a flat surface for various separation distances. Results were compared with those found experimentally. The reason for conducting the simulations was to (a) gain more insight into how the presence of the plate affects the flame and the flow and temperature fields and (b) to explain the reason for high heat flux when the tip of the inner reaction zone was very close to the stagnation point.

A numerical and experimental study of counterflow syngas flames at different pressures

Synthesis gas or “Syngas” is being recognized as a viable energy source worldwide, particularly for stationary power generation due to its wide availability as a product of bio and fossil fuel gasification. There are, however, gaps in the fundamental understanding of syngas combustion and emissions characteristics, especially at elevated pressures that are relevant to practical combustors. This paper presents a numerical and experimental investigation of the combustion and NO x characteristics of syngas fuel with varying composition, pressure and strain rate. Experiments were performed at atmospheric conditions, while the simulations considered different pressures. Both experiments and simulations indicate that stable non-premixed and partially premixed counterflow flames (PPFs) can be established for a wide range of syngas compositions and strain rates. Three chemical kinetic models, GRI 3.0, Davis et al., and Mueller et al. are examined. The Davis et al. mechanism is found to agree best with the experimental data, and hence used to simulate the PPF structure at different pressure and fuel composition. For the pressure range investigated, results indicate a typical double flame structure with a rich premixed reaction zone (RPZ) on the fuel side and a non-premixed reaction zone (NPZ) on the oxidizer side, with RPZ characterized by H 2 oxidation, and NPZ by both H 2 and CO oxidation. While thermal NO is found to be the dominant route for NO production, a reburn route, which consumes NO through NO + O + M→ NO 2 + M and H + NO + M → HNO + M reactions, becomes increasingly important at high pressures. The amount of NO formed in syngas PPFs first increases rapidly with pressure, but then levels off at higher pressures. At a given pressure, the peak NO mole fraction exhibits a non-monotonic variation with syngas composition, first decreasing to a minimum value, and then increasing as the amount of CO in syngas is increased. This implies the existence of an optimum syngas composition that yields the lowest amount of NO production in syngas PPFs, and can be attributed to the combined effects of thermal and reburn mechanisms.

A NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF METHANE AIR PARTIALLY PREMIXED FLAMES AT ELEVATED PRESSURES

A numerical investigation of high pressure, counterflow methane-air partially premixed flames (PPFs) is presented to characterize the effect of pressure on flame structure. Four different mechanisms, namely GRI-2.11, GRI-3.0, the San Diego, and the C2 mechanisms have been examined. The mechanisms have been validated by comparing the predicted laminar flame speeds with experimental data. While there is excellent agreement between the measured and predicted laminar flame speeds based on these mechanisms, there are noticeable discrepancies amongst the mechanisms for the prediction of high-pressure PPFs. The GRI 3.0 mechanism is used to examine the detailed PPF structure at elevated pressures. At low pressures, the PPF exhibits a typical double flame structure that consists of rich premixed and nonpremixed reaction zones, and the separation distance between the reaction zones decreases with increasing pressure. However, for pressure above 10 atm, the separation distance becomes nearly independent of pressure. In addition, a critical pressure is observed, above which the PPF structure exhibits anomalous behavior, characterized by the presence of endothermic reactions and the production of CO in the region between the two reaction zones. A rate of production analysis revealed that the anomalous behavior is attributable to the following reactions: H + H2O → OH + H2, CH2CO + M → CH2 + CO + M, and HCO + M → H + CO + M. The critical pressure at which this behavior is first observed increases with the increase in equivalence ratio and/or strain rate. Thermal radiation is found to have a negligible effect on the flame structure for the range of conditions investigated.

Effects of mixing on ammonia oxidation in combustion environments at intermediate temperatures

Ammonia often occurs in combustion gases as a product of fuel-nitrogen. Since either NO or N 2 may predominate as the product of ammonia oxidation, there is considerable interest in understanding the factors responsible for selecting the final products. In flames, the selectivity is known to depend on whether the reaction zones are premixed or nonpremixed. This paper reports on a combined experimental and modeling investigation of ammonia chemistry in a hot combustion environment that is below flame temperatures, such as in post-combustion gases. Experiments that mix highly diluted ammonia–methane and oxygen–water streams are interpreted in terms of a plug-flow model, a simplified mixing reactor model, and a two-dimensional direct numerical simulation. The study finds that the final products of ammonia oxidation remain sensitive to mixing even at temperatures below those of self-sustaining flames. At low temperatures, ammonia oxidation occurs in a premixed reaction zone, but at sufficiently high temperatures a nonpremixed reaction zone may develop that produces significantly less NO than the equivalent premixed system. A direct numerical simulation is required to predict the behavior over the full range of conditions investigated experimentally, while a simplified mixing reactor model captures the essential features as long as the radial gradients are not too steep.

Structure of partially premixed n-heptane–air counterflow flames

To avoid the complexities associated with the droplet/vapor transport and nonuniform evaporation processes, a fundamental investigation of liquid fuel combustion in idealized configurations is very useful. An experimental–computational investigation of prevaporized n-heptane nonpremixed and partially premixed flames established in a counterflow burner is described. There is a general agreement between various facets of our nonpremixed flame measurements and the literature data. The partially premixed flames are characterized by a double flame structure. This becomes more distinct as the strain rate decreases and partial premixing increases, which also increases the separation distance between the two reaction zones. The peak partially premixed flame temperature increases with increasing premixing of the fuel stream. The peak CO 2 and H 2O concentrations are relatively insensitive to partial premixing. The CO and H 2 peak concentrations on the premixed side increase as the fuel-side equivalence ratio decreases. These species are transported to the nonpremixed reaction zone where they oxidize. The C 2 species have peaks in the premixed reaction zone. The concentrations of olefins are ten times larger than those of the corresponding paraffins. The oxidizer is present in partially premixed flames throughout the combustion system and there are no regions characterized by simultaneous high temperature and high fuel concentration. As a result, pyrolysis reactions leading to soot formation are greatly diminished.