On the pressure dependence of flammability limits of CH2=CFCF3, CH2F2 and methane

Flammability limits of CH2=CFCF3 (HFO-1234 yf), CH2F2 (HFC-32), and methane were measured at pressures from ambient to 2500 kPa in a 5 l stainless-steel spherical vessel. For HFO-1234 yf, as the pressure rises from ambient, the lower flammability limit is shifted downward and the upper limit is shifted upward. The changes to the lower flammability limits are, in general, small compared to the upper flammability limits. Both the lower and upper flammability limits of this compound can be approximated by simple logarithmic functions of pressure. For HFC-32, the behavior of lower flammability limit is similar to that for HFO-1234 yf, but the behavior for the upper limit is rather complicated. As the pressure is increased, it begins to rise upward gradually. Then, as the pressure becomes larger than about 1000 kPa it begins to rise upward rapidly, and then the change becomes moderate again. This must be due to a change of combustion reaction mechanism below 1000 kPa and above 1500 kPa in the upper flammability limit region for this compound. On the other hand, both the flammability limits of methane change almost linearly with pressure, at least in the pressure region considered.

► Flammability limits of CH2=CFCF3, CH2F2, and methane were measured at pressures up to 2500kPa. ► As pressure rises from ambient, lower limits shift downward and upper limits shift upward. ► Both limits of CH2=CFCF3 can be approximated by simple logarithmic functions of pressure. ► The behavior of upper limit of CH2F2 was found very unusual. ► Upper limit of methane changes almost linearly with pressure in this pressure region.