Dynamic Behavior of Reacting Gas Jets Submerged in Liquids: A Photographic Study.
Abstract
Power systems based on liquid metal combustion are attractive for underwater applications due to the relatively high heat of reaction and the absence of gaseous combustion products. While feasibility of a metal-combustion power system has been demonstrated in laboratory tests, the parameters and mechanisms controlling the combustion reaction are not adequately understood. It would be expected that the chemical kinetics of metal combustion reactions is so fast that the reactions are usually controlled by mixing and transport processes. It appears, however, that little work has been done on the detailed mechanisms of these controlling processes. A photographic study of a hydrogen chloride gas jet reacting in an aqueous solution of ammonia was conducted. The high-speed motion pictures taken revealed that the behavior of the reacting gas jet was not highly dynamic and complex. The gaseous jet penetration ('plume') was not stationary, but underwent a change in shape and size with time, which appeared to be periodic or cyclic. Certain observations made, including a high-pitched sound, exhibited a striking similarity to the so-called 'singing flame' phenomenon. Such dynamic plume behavior is attributed to the vaporization of the bath liquid due to reaction heat release. The plume length measurements for large concentrations of ammonia seem to confirm the prediction that when the extent of vaporization is large, the plume length is mainly determined by the distance required for condensation of the vapor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173936
Entities
People
- D. H. Cho
- D. R. Armstrong
- L. Bova
Organizations
- Argonne National Laboratory