Temperature and Mass Flow Effects in 10 Torr Methane/Oxygen Flames

ABSTRACT

We have investigated the effect of burner surface temperature and mass flow on OH and CH radical mole fraction profiles in 10 Torr premixed methane/oxygen flames. Experimental flames were monitored using both flame emission and laser induced fluorescence. Modeling predictions using Sandia flame codes are compared to experimental results. An inverse relationship between mass flow and flame front distance from the burner is observed and modeled. Lean methane/oxygen flames stabilize closer to the burner than rich flames when mass flow is held constant. For methane/oxygen flames at 10 Torr, the effect on the location of the flame front as judged by the OH and CH profiles of a ± 10% measurement uncertainty in the experimental gas flow or a ± 10% uncertainty in the burner surface temperature, cannot be measured within experimental precision.

Key Words:

• Methane
• flame modeling
• CH radical
• OH radical