On the structure of laminar diffusion flames

Abstract

The structure of laminar diffusion flames is analyzed
in the limiting case of large, although finite,
reaction rates.

It is shown that the chemical reaction takes place
only in a very thin region or "chemical boundary layer"
where convection effects may be neglected. Then the
temperature and mass fraction distributions within the
reaction zone are obtained analytically.

The flame position, rates of fuel consumption, and
temperature and concentration distributions outside of the reaction zone may be obtained by using the assumption
of infinite reaction rates.

For large Reynolds numbers mixing and combustion take
place in boundary layers and free mixing layers. And
again analytical solutions are obtained for the tempera
ture and mass fraction distributions outside of the
reaction zone.