Third M.I.T. Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics June 14–17, 2005  

Nitrogen chemistry controlling steps in methane-air premixed flames

Dimitris A. Goussis*, George Skevis
Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Chemical Processes, FORTH/ICE-HT, Stadiou Street, 26500 Rio, Patra, Greece
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ABSTRACT
The important kinetics paths for NOx formation and the dynamics for their equilibration in a premixed methane-air flame are analyzed with tools from CSP. It is shown that controlling components of well-known paths (i.e. prompt, thermal, nitrous) are associated with the slowest time scales of the process. The details of their transition along the flame from active to equilibrated status provide significant physical understanding.

Keywords:  Flames; Combustion; NOx formation; Inertial manifolds; Stiff ODEs
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +30 2610 965251; Fax: +30 2610 965223; E-mail: dagoussi@iceht.forth.gr