The effect of a hydrogen addition to the premixed flame structure of light alkanes

The effect of a hydrogen addition to the combustion chemistry of light alkanes was evaluated by the experimental and numerical determination of the laminar burning velocity of methane/propane/hydrogen mixtures in air at different equivalence ratios and fuel compositions by using a heat flux burner. The experimental results have been compared with additional data selected for the main experimental rig commonly adopted in current literature. The obtained set of data was used for the validation of the detailed kinetic model developed by the University of Bologna. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis on the reaction system was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of a low hydrogen content on the reaction paths, concentrations profiles of the main combustion products and temperature profiles with respect to the distance from the burner. Thus, additional information was obtained by means of a sensitivity analysis, evaluating the relative relevance of each reaction on the laminar burning velocity and comparing obtained the results for all the investigated conditions.