A lower flammability limit prediction model of alkane-CO2 mixtures based on flame phenomenon simulation

In the present study, a novel model is proposed to evaluate the lower flammability limit(LFL) of alkane diluted with CO2. The LFL model is based on flame phenomenon simulation(FS-LFL). The model consists of combustion, turbulence, and igniter models, which are used to characterise the combustion based on the chemical kinetics and CFD, which is not feasible with traditional methods. The flame simulation phenomenon was validated by contrast with experiment and same criterion of flammability limit in the experiment was adopted. The FS-LFL model was used to predict the LFLs of a propane-CO2 mixture and propane at various temperatures. The model performance was analysed by comparing the results with experimental data and predictions obtained from existing methods. The AARDs between the predicted and experimentally determined LFLs of the propane-CO2 mixture are 0.34%, 1.19%, and 1.35% at 30℃, 50℃, and 70℃, respectively. The model also has a good predictive power with respect to the LFLs of propane at initial temperatures ranging from 30℃–300℃, with an AARD of 2.10%. When the dilution of CO2 is 90%, the model yields a better result due to the utilisation of the chemical kinetics mechanism. This result is instructive for the use of this method in the prediction of upper flammability limits.

In-flight particle characterization and coating formation under low pressure plasma spray condition

Yttria-stabilized zirconia（ YSZ） coatings were deposited by low pressure plasma spray（ LPPS） in 1.0× 10^4 Pa,1.5 × 10^4 Pa,and 2.5 × 10^4 Pa. Both in-flight particle diagnostic detected by DPV-2000 system and ANSYS-FLUENT software were used to study the connection between the parameters of flying particles and the coating formation,which might help to recognize the relationship between the operation parameters and the coatings quality. The results of simulation showed that particles in a lower spray pressure could achieve a higher velocity. The particle velocity was around 380 m/s at a distance of 35 cm from the nozzle at 1.0 × 10^4 Pa while only 300 m/s at 2.5 × 10^4 Pa in actual measurement.The results showed that the velocity of particles increased with decreasing the spray pressure,which might enhance the flattening rate of coatings and thereby decreased the porosity. The deposited YSZ coating with the lowest porosity can be gained under 1.0 × 10^4 Pa condition.