• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.572-579
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• 2009

This study is to investigate experimentally the flame structure and propagation mechanism in dust explosions and to provide the fundamental knowledge. Upward propagating laminar dust flames in a vertical duct of 1.8 m height and 0.15 m square cross-section are observed and flame front is visualized using by a high-speed video camera. Also, the thicknesses of preheated and reaction zone have been determined by a schlieren, electrostatic probe and thermocouple. The thickness of preheated zone in lycopodium dust flame is observed to be 4~13 mm, about several orders of magnitude higher than that of premixed gaseous flames. From the experimental results by a PIV(Particle Image Velocimetry) system, a certain residence time of the unburned particle in preheated zone is needed to generate combustible gas from the particle. The residence time will depend on preheated zone thickness, particle velocity and flame propagation velocity.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2011

The numerical analysis of the reduction of reaction mechanism for the ignition of dimethyl ether (DME) was performed. On the basis of a detailed reaction mechanism involving 79 species and 351 reactions, the peak molar concentration and sensitivity analysis were conducted in a homogeneous reactor model. The reduced reaction mechanism involving 44 species and 166 reactions at the threshold value $7.5{\times}10^{-5}$ of the molar peak concentration was established by comparing the ignition delays the reduced mechanism with those the detailed mechanism. The predicted results of the reduced mechanism applied to the single-zone homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine model were in agreement with those of the detailed mechanism. Therefore, this reduced mechanism can be used to accurately simulate the ignition and combustion process of compression ignition engine using DME fuel.