INHIBITION OF NONPREMIXED FLAMES BY PHOSPHORUS-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS

Phosphorus-containing compounds (PCCs) are proposed as viable alternat ives to current, ozone-destroying, flame-inhibiting agents. An opposed -jet burner apparatus a as used to study the effectiveness of two low- vapor-pressure PCCs, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and trimethyl p hosphate (TMP): in extinguishing a nonpremixed methane-air flame. The global extinction strain rate was determined as a function of dopant l oadings. Tests were also conducted using nitrogen as an inert additive for reference. Results demonstrate that these phosphorus-containing c ompounds are significant inhibitors of nonpremixed methane-air flames uc hen introduced into the oxidizer stream, 40 times more effective th an nitrogen on a molar basis. A novel technique for measuring the exti nction strain rate while maintaining a constant dopant level in one ga s stream was developed. (C) 1998 by The Combustion Institute