Lecturer

Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering

Mechanical Power Engineering

Contents

1
 Applications of flames
Gas turbine Furnaces and boilers stove

Rocket
3

Combustors
Design Features of a Good Combustor
- Must be able to oxidize fuel on a continual basis

- Must provide constant re-ignition

- A reliable fuel injection system

- Enough cooling

- Desirable flame shape

- Low emissions

- Stable combustion
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2
 IGNITION AND FLAMMABILITY LIMITS

- Mixtures of fuel and oxidant do not necessarily react when

mixed together.
-The mixture needs a sufficient amount of energy input
before the reaction becomes self sustaining (electrical spark,
heat addition, radical addition)
- A portion of the mixture must be heated to above the self
ignition temperature (SIT) . A sufficient heat must be generated
at the ignition point to heat the surrounding layers above the
SIT

Homogeneous ignition and point ignitions

Flammability limits

Flame propagation occurs only if the ratio of fuel : oxidant is within

certain limits (flammability limits) Approx. equivalence ratio
(volume) = 50- 300%
Lower flammability limit - is the smallest quantity of
combustible which will support a self propagating flame when
mixed with a air (or other oxidant)

Upper flammability limit - is the highest quantity of combustible

which will support a self propagating flame when mixed with a
air (or other oxidant)
The limits depends on : Ignition temperature , Calorific value, vessel shape,
temperature and pressure, Specific heats of gases, Relative volumes of
diluting gases and reactants,
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3
 Flammability limits
Methane / air Propane / air If the flame reaches the the top of the
tube it is considered a flammable
mixture.
1.8 m

D= 51 mm
7

Ignition and flammability limits

4
 Types of Flames

air

Two basic categories

Pre-mixed ( fully aerated)

Diffusion (non aerated)

Partially aerated
Fuel +air Fuel

Both characterized as air

Laminar or Turbulent
air
Fuel
9

Types of Flames

Premixed

Ex. Bunsen Burner

Flame moves at fairly low
velocity

Mechanically create laminar
conditions

Diffusion

Ex. Candle Flame

Fuel: Wax, Oxidizer: Air

Reaction zone between wax
vapors and air

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5
 Premixed Flame

Flame propagates at a specific speed
Results from gaseous

reactants that are mixed
prior to combustion

Flame propagates at
low velocities

Reacts quite rapidly

Example: combustion of gasoline engine

11

Diffusion Flame

Gaseous reactants
are introduced
separately and mix
during combustion

Energy release rate

limited by mixing
process

Reaction zone
between oxidizer and
fuel zone
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6
 Turbulent Flame
Premixed
o Heat release occurs much faster
o Increased flame propagation
o No definite theories to predict
behavior

Diffusion
Can obtain high rates of
combustion energy release per
unit volume
Ex. Diesel Engine
Modeling is very complex, no well
established approach

Spectrum of flame colour

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7
 Flame colour

Black body and soot emissions,

Temperature
Fuel composition (radicals to be formed)
Mixture strength

15