- Author
- Puri, R. | Santoro, R. J.
- Title
- Role of Soot Particle Formation on the Production of Carbon Monoxide in Fires.
- Coporate
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
- Sponsor
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Contract
- NIST-GRANT-60NAN8700706 NIST-GRANT-60NANB01035
- Book or Conf
- International Association for Fire Safety Science. Fire Safety Science. Proceedings. 3rd International Symposium. July 8-12, 1991, Elsevier Applied Science, New York, Edinburgh, Scotland, Cox, G.; Langford, B., Editors, 595-604 p., 1991
- Keywords
- fire research | fire safety | fire science | soot formation | carbon monoxide | diffusion flames | laminar flames
- Abstract
- A systematic study of the effects of soot formation on the production of carbon monoxide (CO) in laminar diffusion flames has been conducted. Increased amounts of soot have been observed to result in larger concentrations of CO in the higher regions of the flames. Comparisons of CO state relationships as a function of local equivalence ratio show distinct effects as the local soot volume fraction is varied. Fuel rich regions exhibit lower CO mole fractions as soot concentration increases, whereas higher CO mole fractions are observed under fuel lean conditions. Radiative quenching and competition between soot and CO for OH are examined. Competition for OH is a plausible mechanism that can be responsible for the high CO emissions from fires. Radiative quenching does not seem to play a significant role in fuel rich regions but can be important under fuel lean conditions.