Filtration combustion characteristics of low calorific gas in SiC foams

This study investigated the combustion characteristics of low calorific gas in silicon carbide (SiC) foam. The temperature distribution, reaction zone, maximum temperature, and combustion wave propagation velocity were analysed at different inlet velocities, equivalence ratios of premixed gases, and pore densities. The temperature distribution near the reaction zone was determined by a time-based method. Super-adiabatic combustion was obtained in porous media under different conditions. The experimental results showed that higher temperatures were obtained in SiC foams of 30 pores per inch (PPI) than those measured for foam of 20 PPI. Increased equivalence ratio of premixed gases and pore density led to a thicker reaction zone and a higher preheating efficiency in the preheating zone. The combustion wave propagation velocity, which was less than 2 mm/s under these experimental conditions, was increased with increased inlet velocity and decreased equivalence ratio of premixed gases. The combustion wave propagation in foams of 20 PPI had the lowest velocity because of the good match of convection and radiation.