Mechanism of In–Flame Gasification of Disperse Carbon in Diffusion Combustion of Hydrocarbons

The contradiction between the experimental data and theoretical concepts on gasification of disperse carbon in the diffusion flame of hydrocarbon fuels is examined. As a result of the heterogeneous reaction of carbon with molecules of carbon dioxide and water inside a laminar diffusion flame, complete gasification of particles within the time of their residence in the flame is impossible. A hypothesis concerning the two–stage mechanism of in–flame gasification of soot in a sootless diffusion flame is advanced. A mandatory stage is explosive dispersion of disperse carbon particles. The viability of the hypothesis is confirmed by calculated and experimental data.