Ignition and Combustion of Levitated Magnesium and Aluminum Particles in Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

This article considers ignition and combustion of single particles of magnesium and aluminum in carbon dioxide at pressures 0.1-2 MPa. An experimental setup with an electrodynamic levitator inside a high-pressure chamber was employed. The CO₂-laser was used for heating to ignition of the particles. The results show that ignition mechanisms of Mg and Al in CO₂ are different. Experiments with Mg indicate the existence of the critical partial pressure of CO₂, whereas the ignition probability of Al particles in CO₂ is low but independent on pressure. Analysis of flame images and combustion parameters shows that the mechanism of Mg particle burning in CO₂ corresponds to conventional models of vapor-phase diffusion-controlled combustion, whereas in the case of Al exothermic processes on the particle surface or close to it play a leading part in the burning process.

Keywords:

• ignition
• combustion
• particles
• metals
• fuel
• propellants

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. MARION

Current address: Inslitut Universitaire Technologique, Cherbourg Manche, 50000 Saint L6, France

E. SHAFIROVICH

Corresponding author. Current address: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame. IN 46556. USA. E-mail: [email protected].