Investigation of the Process of Aluminum Combustion.

In the course of an experimental investigation of the process of aluminum combustion in water vapors two modes of aluminum combustion have been established and studied: the surface and gaseous phase combustion. A physical model representing characteristic features of the modes of combustion of aluminum in steam at high pressures is proposed. The conditions of transition from the surface mode of combustion to the gaseous phase mode are established. An explanation of the available experimental data as regards the effect of pressure on the time of combustion of aluminum is given. It is shown that reduction of the combustion time with an increase in pressure is also connected with the relative shortening of the duration of the surface mode of combustion. A method of calculation of the combustion of Al is worked out.