Mechanisms of flame propagation through suspended combustible particles

Abstract
Phenomena of flame propagation through suspended combustible particles were investigated. Several recent experimental results were examined comprehensively; such as observation by photographs, flame propagation limits, temperature distribution, and iron current measurement. As combustible particles, 1-octadecanol and stearic acid were used. In the photographs, the leading combustion zone is observed to consist of discrete burning blue spot flames. However, the experimental investigations indicate that the real leading combustion zone must exist ahead of the visible leading combustion zone. The real leading combustion zone mainly consists of the burning of smaller particles and it governs the flame propagation behavior. Smaller particles play an important role in the flame propagation. The possible flame structures were also discussed.