Growth of soot particles in premixed flames by surface reactions

Abstract

Experiments were performed to elucidate some hypotheses for soot formation and surface growth. Results give the appearance rate of soot as being independent of the outer surface of the soot particle aggregates. The influence of chemical composition on soot formation has also been experimentally investigated. The experiments show that the appearance of rate of soot is not simple proportional to the ethyne partial pressure as stated in frequently used surface growth models but rather is influenced by a number of flame properties. An explanation of the findings is given on the basis of the frequently discussed HACA-mechanism for surface growth of soot particles.