Effect of inert and reactive gas additives to hydrogen and air on blow-off of flame at hydrogen release from microleakage

This paper presents experimental data on the effect of inert (He, N-2, Ar, CO2) and reactive (CH4, O-2, CF3Br, (CH3O)(3)PO) gas additives to hydrogen and ambient air on flame blow-off during diffusion combustion of a hydrogen microjet emanating from a micronozzle into air. It is found that the addition of the above gases to hydrogen narrows the microjet velocity range of stable combustion of hydrogen. For hydrogen with the additives studied, the critical velocity of flame blow-off depends primarily on the mean molecular weight of the combustible mixture. When the gases are added to the air surrounding the diffusion flame, the critical velocity of flame blow-off is determined by their inhibiting effect on the chemical reactions of hydrogen oxidation. The results can be used to determine the minimum concentrations of flame-suppressing additives required to prevent the ignition and combustion of hydrogen in its accidental releases. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The addition of inert gases to hydrogen narrows the velocity range of stable combustion, while the addition of reactive gases affects the critical velocity of flame blow-off. The results depend on the mean molecular weight of the combustible mixture and the inhibiting effect of gases on the chemical reactions of hydrogen oxidation.