Abstract
Structure of edge flame established in a mixing layer, formed between two uniformly flowing pure $CH_4$ and pure $O_2$ streams, is numerically investigated by employing a detailed methane-oxidation mechanism. The numerical results exhibited the most outstanding distinction of using pure oxygen in the fuel-rich premixed-flame front, through which the carbon-containing compound is found to leak mainly in the form of CO instead of HC compounds, contrary to the rich $CH_4-air$ premixed flames in which $CH_4$ as well as $C_2H_m$ leakage can occur. Moreover, while passing through the rich premixed flame, a major route for CO production, in addition to the direct $CH_4$ decomposition, is found to be $C_2H_m$ compound formation followed by their decomposition into CO. Beyond the rich premixed flame front, CO is further oxidized into $CO_2$ in a broad diffusion-flame-like reaction zone located around moderately fuel-rich side of the stoichiometric mixture by the OH radical from the fuel-lean premixed-flame front. Since the secondary CO production through $C_2H_m$ decomposition has a relatively strong reaction intensity, an additional heat-release branch appears and the resulting heat-release profile can no longer be seen as a tribrachial structure.
