A Comparison Between Numerical Calculations and Experimental Measurements of the Structure of a Counterflow Methane-Air Diffusion Flame

Abstract

Results of a theoretical experimental study of the structure of a methane-air counterflow diffusion flame are reported. Concentration profiles of the stable species were measured using gas sampling techniques with quartz microprobes. The samples were analyzed with a gas chromatograph. Temperature profiles were measured using coated thermocouples. Numerical calculations including C₂ chemistry were performed with an adaptive nonlinear boundary value solver at conditions identical to those used in the experiment. The results are compared using both the physical coordinate and the mixture fraction as the independent variable. Excellent agreement is obtained for concentration profiles of CH₄, O₂, N₂, CO₂, H₂O, H₂, CO, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, AND C₂H₆, for the peak value of the temperature and for flame standoff distances.