IGNITION IN A VERTICAL WALL IN CONTACT WITH A COMBUSTIBLE GAS - CATALYTIC REACTIONS IN ONE SURFACE OF THE PLATE

The steady-state ignition of a catalytic vertical plate immersed in a combustible gas is analysed using asymptotic and numerical techniques. The analysis is restricted to the case where the catalytic activity i s assumed to be on one lateral surface of the plate, causing an asymme trical heat transfer distribution. The influence of the transversal an d the longitudinal heat conduction effects through the plate are clari fied, showing well defined ignition and extinction conditions (an S-sh aped curve) for high activation energy. The catalytic ignition is easi er to achieve as the value of the non-dimensional longitudinal thermal conductance of the plate increases in the thermally thin wall regime, while the converse is true for the thermally thick wall regime.