Comparison of Methane and Propane Diffusion Flame Extinguishment by Thermal Agents An Experimental and Detailed Kinetic Modeling Study

Published

May 17, 2009

Author(s)

William M. Pitts, Jiann C. Yang, Rodney A. Bryant, Linda G. Blevins

Abstract

A combined computational and experimental study of methane and propane flames burning in air diluted with thermal agents is described. Detailed kinetic modeling of opposed-jet diffusion flames and experimental extinguishing volume fraction measurements for counterflow and coflow diffusion flames are described. It is shown that the hypothesis of a characteristic maximum flame temperature for buoyancy-dominated diffusion flames near extinguishment allows quantitative predictions of agent extinguishing volume fractions for counterflow diffusion flames. The characteristic temperatures differ for methane and propane flames. In general, coflowing diffusion flames require lower volume fractions of a thermal agent for extinction than counterflow flames, but the relative effectiveness of the agents is the same, suggesting that heat loss mechanisms are similar for both types of flame and fuel.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the 6th U.S. National Combustion Meeting

Conference Dates

May 17-20, 2009

Conference Location

Ann Arbor, MI

Conference Title

6th U.S. National Combustion Meeting

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

coflow diffusion flames, counterflow diffusion flames, detailed chemical kinetic modeling, extinguishment, extinguishment temperature, thermal agents

Citation

Pitts, W. , Yang, J. , Bryant, R. and Blevins, L. (2009), Comparison of Methane and Propane Diffusion Flame Extinguishment by Thermal Agents An Experimental and Detailed Kinetic Modeling Study, Proceedings of the 6th U.S. National Combustion Meeting, Ann Arbor, MI (Accessed October 23, 2025)