NONEQUILIBRIUM COMBUSTION MODEL FOR FUEL-RICH GAS GENERATORS

The efflux composition characteristics of an experimental fuel-rich gas generator have been modeled with a detailed hydrocarbon kinetics package that includes the effects of liquid droplet vaporization. The chemical reaction mechanism, consisting of 107 chemical species and 642 reversible reactions, is capable of describing a complex kerosene-type fuel mixture for the case where the constituents (aliphatic, aromatic content) can be specified. A liquid fuel droplet vaporization model for octane and toluene mixtures has been included. A flame zone model is incorporated to address the fast reaction phenomena necessary for sustained combustion. Successful modeling has necessitated the use of a nonequilibrium approach incorporating a detailed chemical model. Comparison of modeling results to experimental data has shown good agreement, clearly supporting nonequilibrium operation.