ON A STEADY LAMINAR PREMIXED HYDROGEN-BROMINE FLAME

A simple model is proposed for the steady, laminar, premixed hydrogen-bromine flame, and the results of a numerical integration of the equations for this model are compared with the available experimentally determined structure. The calculated mass flow rates are slightly larger than that of the experimental flame: 4 per cent greater for the case of adjusted Johnson and Britton bromine dissociation-recombination kinetics, and 6 per cent greater for the Givens and Willard kinetics of this reaction. The simulated flames are thinner than the experimental one, consistent with their higher burning rates. Their heat release rates occur somewhat late, however, and their corresponding maximum temperatures are higher than measured. The deviations between the experimental and the simulated flames are probably due to inadequate property data and to thermal diffusion of the hydrogen molecule. Chemical steady-state with respect to the H atom appears good at least to a first approximation. The Br atom flux to the flame holder, modeled as the Curtiss-Hirschfelder type, is significantly greater than that given by equilibrium in the cold gases. It is suggested that chemical interaction of this flame with the flame holder in the form of heterogeneous catalytic recombination of Br atoms is an important mechanism in its stabilization. © 1969.