Energy & Fuels, Vol.26, No.11, 6612-6620, 2012
Effects of Direct-Current (DC) Electric Fields on Flame Propagation and Combustion Characteristics of Premixed CH4/O-2/N-2 Flames
In this work, effects of direct current (DC) electric fields on the flame propagation and combustion characteristics of premixed CH4/O-2/N-2 mixtures were experimentally investigated at excess air ratios of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2, room temperature, and atmospheric pressure. Results show that the existence of the DC electric fields significantly affects the flame propagation and combustion properties. Specifically, the flame shape becomes a prolate spheroid, with the major axis in the electric field direction as a result of the movement of positive ions by the electric body force, and a further increase in the applied voltage distorts the flame front more significantly. Additionally, the frame propagation speed in the electric field direction (S-n) and corresponding unstretched laminar burning velocity (u(1)) are increased as the electric field becomes More intense, and this behavior is more pronounced for lean mixtures. Finally, the initial and main combustion durations defined by the pressure evolution profiles are shortened. The peak pressure and peak rate of pressure rise are increased with the increase of the electric field intensity just for lean mixtures. The observation of the laminar burning velocity and pressure evolution behavior substantiates the potential of the electric field in enhancing lean combustion.