Modelling of particulate formation in opposed diffusion flames

The microstructures of atmospheric pressure, counter-flow, sooting, flat, laminar ethylene diffusion flames have been studied numerically. Aromatics growth beyond 2-, 3-ring PAH is analyzed through a radical-molecule reaction mechanism which, in combination with a previously developed PAH model, is able to predict the concentration profiles of aromatic structures formed in flames. Modelling results are in good agreement with experimental data and are used to interpret the soot volume fraction and PAH fluorescence measured in flames.