Effect of Additives on the Lean Detonation Limit of Kerosene Sprays in Air
Abstract
A shock tube technique was used to determine the lean detonation limit of sprays of kerosene in air when the kerosene is sensitized by either propyl nitrate or butyl nitrite. The technique, described in detail is used as a first step to determine the relationship between the detonation initiation energy and the initiation power for stoichiometric H2-air mixtures at .5 atmosphere. It is found that if the initiation energy, E is expressed in J/sq cm and the power P, in Kw/sq cm, then (E - 10) (P - 27) = 555 J-Kwcm to the 4th power. The method is also used to check on the lean limit of H2-air at atmospheric pressure. It was found that for an initiation energy of 50 J/sq cm at P = 160 Kw/sq cm (initiation M approx. = 3.5), the lean limit is between 10- 14% H2 in air. This value is somewhat lower than that found in the literature -- 18.2% H2 in air. Approximately the same energy and power were used to determine the lean limit of kerosene sprays. Monodisperse sprays having droplets diameter = 780 microns were used. Three equivalence ratios were tested: .59, .44, and .3. 3 Kerosene was mixed with 10% and 20% of either propyl nitrate (PN) or butyl nitrite (BN). Results indicate that addition of propyl nitrate reduces the limiting equivalence ratio, phi. Thus, for 10% PN the limiting phi is between . 44 and .3; and for 20% PN phi is below .3. Erratic behavior was detected when 10% BN was used. However, when 20% of BN was mixed in kerosene, the limiting phi was again below .3.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA095190
Entities
People
- E. K. Dabora
Organizations
- University of Connecticut