Pressure dependence of mass burning rates in diluent premixed flames of H2/O2 at high pressures

Pressure dependence of mass burning of diluted hydrogen premixed flames is studied numerically over a full range of pressure. Mass burning rate is selected to be a parameter for burning capability of flames. First, positive linear dependence of mass burning rate has been confirmed at low pressures and negative pressure dependence has appeared in the medium range of pressure, which complies with the results reported in previous experimental works. And then, when the pressure range is extended more, positive pressure dependence is recovered or shows up again at high pressures. The flame structures of temperature and species profiles in each pressure regime are demonstrated. They show that the latter two dependences of negative and positive can be explained by enhanced recombination reactions producing HO₂ at high pressures and chain re-branching to OH production via H₂O₂, respectively. There are three distinct dependences of mass burning or global chemistry in hydrogen flames. Two onset pressures, at which pressure dependence changes, depend on equivalence ratio, degree of dilution, diluent species, and unburned-gas temperature. Accordingly, the onset pressure can be used as a parameter characterizing burning of premixed flames.