Molecular beam sampling of H2CO and NO in one-atmosphere methane-air flames

✍ Scribed by Richard L. Gay; Wen S. Young; Eldon L. Knuth

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1975
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 563 KB
• Volume: 24
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0010-2180
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-2180(75)90172-8

✦ Synopsis

A one-atmosphere premixed methane-air flame was studied using a molecular-beam mass-spectrometer sampling system. For equivalence ratios of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.1, the signal intensity at role = 30 was measured along the burner centerline from the flame holder (z = 0) to z = 100 mm. Two distinct reaction regions were found: a primary reaction zone, which occupied approximately the first 4 mm, and a secondary reaction zone, which occupied the rest of the sampling distance. A distinctive peak corresponding to the formation and consumption of H2CO defined the primary reaction zone. Nitric oxide was formed in the secondary reaction zone. The measured rate of formation of NO is compared with theoretical predictions based on a modified Zeldovich mechanism. The data discount the formation of "prompt" NO.