Effects of Temperature and Fuel Dilution on Soot Yields in an Inverted Gravity Flame Reactor

Abstract

Inverted laminar co-flow diffusion flames varied by dilution and preheat are characterized by temperature and soot emission measurements. Flame conditions vary by fuel structure (ethane, ethylene, methane), fuel dilution with Ar (0-90%), and preheat of reagents. The measured maximum flame temperature (Tmax) is negatively correlated with dilution. Soot yields are inversely proportional to dilution and positively correlated with maximum flame temperature. The organic carbon (OC) content of soot is positively correlated with dilution and negatively correlated with temperature. Tmax is a suitable overall combustion metric, however detailed soot analysis benefits from using a flame front temperature value closer to actual soot temperature. A peak-luminosity temperature (Ts*) is determined from flame front measurements and image analysis of soot luminosity. Generalization based on Ts* is shown to be challenging.