Numerical investigation on effects of high initial temperatures and pressures on flame behavior of CO/H2/Air mixtures near the dilution limit

This study investigates effects of initial temperatures and pressures on dilution limits of CO/H2/air mixtures by numerical simulation of one-dimensional laminar premixed flames of CO/H2/air mixtures (50%CO–50%H2). Maximum flame temperatures, laminar flame speeds, mass burning rates and flame thickness near the dilution limits are analyzed. Results reveal that the dilution limits are extended at the elevated initial temperatures. The laminar flame speeds and mass burning rates at the dilution limits increase with the elevation of initial temperature, however, the flame thickness at the dilution limits decreases with increasing pressures and increases slightly with elevated initial temperature. The decreased flame thickness renders the flamelet modeling more favorable for turbulent combustion at elevated pressure conditions. The ratio of the flame thickness to the reaction thickness and the Zeldovich number increase first and then decrease with increasing pressure, but the non-monotonic trend of ratio of flame thickness to reaction thickness with the increasing pressures is unnoticeable. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the non-monotonic trend of the Zeldovich number could be caused by the combined effects of following elementary reactions: H + O2 + M → HO2 + M, 2HO2 → H2O2 + O2 and H2O2 + M → 2OH + M.

► We improve PREMIX to calculate flammability limit of Syngas with ultra-dilution. ► We analyze flame behavior near dilution limit. ► The dilution limits of CO/H2/air decrease monotonously with increasing pressure. ► Flame thickness decreases monotonously with increasing pressure. ► The flamelet model is more suitable for turbulent combustion at elevated pressure.