doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7724-8_09-05

ABSTRACT

The dual action of fluorinated hydrocarbons (HFC and FC) as inhibitors and promoters on premixed flames of methane-oxidizer (mixtures of O₂ and N₂ with different oxygen content) were investigated on the basis of an experimental determination of combustion characteristics of these mixtures. Flammability limits (FL) were measured. In addition, a maximum explosion pressure, ΔP_max, maximum pressure rise rate in an explosion, (dP/dt)_max, and a laminar burning velocity, S_u, were determined for near-limit mixtures of methane-oxidiser-fluorinated agent. It was found that the HFC and FC reveal properties of an additional fuel in the case of lean near-limit mixtures. Heats of chemical conversion for fluorinated hydrocarbons in the flame front were calculated, and these can be rather large, in the range of 150-700 kJ/mole. The appropriate adiabatic temperatures in such conversion can reach 900-1800K. The results of this study lead to the conclusion that the possible effects of a combustion promotion by the fluorinated hydrocarbons should be taken into account in practical applications of these agents.

Keywords: Combustion, Methane, Inhibition.

© 2011 CPD Unit, University of Leeds