Measurement of adiabatic burning velocity in ethane-oxygen-nitrogen and in ethane-oxygen-argon mixtures

Experimental measurements of the adiabatic burning velocity in ethane-oxygen-nitrogen and in ethane-oxygen-argon mixtures are presented. Non-stretched flames were stabilized on a perforated plate burner at 1 atm. Dilution ratio O-2/(O-2 + N-2) was varied from 15% to 21%; dilution ratios O-2/(O-2 + Ar) were 15% and 16%. A heat flux method was used to determine burning velocities under conditions when the net heat loss from the flame to the burner is zero. An overall accuracy of the burning velocities was estimated to be better than +/-0.8 cm/s. Experimental results are in a good agreement with recent literature data for ethane-air mixtures. New measurements of the adiabatic burning velocity in diluted ethane-oxygen-nitrogen and in ethane-oxygen-argon mixtures extend the basis for validation of detailed reaction schemes. Predictions of the detailed chemical mechanism developed in this laboratory agree well with the measurements. The influence of the inert diluent on the flame burning velocity is discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.