Flammability Limits of Coal-Derived Low-BTU Gas Mixtures Containing Large Amounts of Inert Gases

Abstract

Experimental composition and flammabiliiy-limit data at one atmosphere for samples of dry low-Btu gases containing the major constituents CO, H₂, CH₄, N₂, and CO₂, from an actual in-siut coal gasification test are given. Also shown are composition and flammability-limit data for a synthetic low-Btu gas (simulating a type derived from coalrpar; to which CO2 and N2 were systematically added until the upper and lower flammability limits nearly converged. The flammability limits can be approximated by application of Le Chatelier's law, although it is more inaccurate than previously described in the literature. Fuel concentrations at both the upper and lower limits of the mixtures tested arc consistently leaner than predicted