Catalytic ignition by external energy flux: steady state analysis

Abstract

This paper deals with the steady state catalytic ignition of premixed gases over a flat píate of finite thickness. An external heat flux is added to the píate to facilítate the ignition process. The influence of the finite thermal conductivity of the píate on the catalytic ignition is eval-uated in the two distinct limits of the reduced Damkohler number of order of unity and much less than unity. In the case of the reduced Damkohler number of order of unity, the chemical reaction is important over the whole length of the píate. The results obtained pre-viously without external energy flux are reproduced. In the case of the reduced Damkohler number much less than unity, which is of practical interest, the chemical reaction is important only in a narrow zone cióse to the trailing edge, except for very high thermal conductivity of the píate. Analytical expressions are obtained for the critical external heat flux required to produce the catalytic ignition.