Extinction Conditions of Non-Premixed Flames With Fine Droplets of Water and Water-NaOH Solutions

Published

July 20, 2000

Author(s)

A K. Lazzarini, R. H. Krauss, H K. Chelliah, Gregory T. Linteris

Abstract

Interactions of fine droplets of water and water-NaOH solutions with a steady, laminar counterflow methane-air flame are investigated, both experimentally and numerically. A water atomizer generating a polydisperse distribution of droplet sizes with a mean diameter of 20 m is used in experiments with steady feed rate. Comparisons of the measured flame extinction condition as a function of droplet mass fraction in the air stream indicate a trend similar to that predicted previously using 20 m mondisperse water droplets. The hybrid Eulerian-Lagrangian numerical model previously developed is generalized to include polydisperse distribution of droplet sizes, however, the differences seen between experiments and the numerical predictions at high water mass fractions could not be attributed to variation is size distribution alone. Present experiments support the conclusions of an earlier modeling work that, on a mass basis, fine water mist can be as effective as the now banned gaseous fire suppressant halon 1301. Inclusion of NaOH in water (up to 18% by mass), is shown to significantly enhance the fire suppression ability of water by complementing its thermal effects with chemical catalytic radical recombination effects of NaOH.

Proceedings Title

Combustion Institute, Symposium (International) on Combustion, 28th. Proceedings. Volume 2

Conference Dates

July 20-August 4, 2000

Conference Location

Edinburgh, UK

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

combustion, droplets, flame chemistry, water mist, halon alternatives, flame suppression, sodium hydroxide, extinction, premixed flames, burners, drop sizes, size distribution, water vapors, mass flow, flow rate

Citation

Lazzarini, A. , Krauss, R. , Chelliah, H. and Linteris, G. (2000), Extinction Conditions of Non-Premixed Flames With Fine Droplets of Water and Water-NaOH Solutions, Combustion Institute, Symposium (International) on Combustion, 28th. Proceedings. Volume 2, Edinburgh, UK, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=914175 (Accessed October 20, 2025)