Combustion of methane-oxygen and methane-oxygen-CFC mixtures initiated by a high-current slipping surface discharge

Results are presented from experimental studies of the destruction of chlor ofluorocarbon (CF2Cl2) molecules in a methane-oxygen (air) gas mixture whos e combustion is initiated by a high-current slipping surface discharge. It is found that a three-component CH4 + O-2(air)+ CF2Cl2 gas mixture (even wi th a considerable amount of the third component) demonstrates properties of explosive combustion involving chain reactions that are typical of two-com ponent CH4 + O-2 Mixtures. Experiments show the high degree of destruction (almost complete decomposition) of chlorofluorocarbons contained in the mix ture during one combustion event. The combustion dynamics is studied. It is shown that the combustion initiated by a slipping surface discharge has a number of characteristic features that make it impossible to identify the c ombustion dynamics with the formation of a combustion or detonation wave. T he features of the effects observed can be related to intense UV radiation produced by a pulsed high-current surface discharge. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/I nterperiodica".