Evaluation of nitric oxide kinetics in high-pressure flames (up to 5 atm)

Abstract

Nitric oxide kinetics in laminar, counterflow diffusion flames at pressures from 1 to 5 atm are assessed by comparing predictions of NO concentration ([NO]) using comprehensive chemical kinetic mechanisms with highly quantitative laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements. The most recent Gas Research Institute (GRI) mechanism, version 3.0, is used and is compared with the older version 2.11 mechanism. Results indicate that there is significant improvement in the predictive capability of the GRI 3.0 mechanism over the 2.11 mechanism with regard to predicting the magnitude of [NO] as well as the trend of [NO] variation with pressure. However, there is still substantial difference between [NO] predictions and measurements, especially at lower pressures, indicating a need for further refinement of NO kinetics.