Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Fall 1-31-2004
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Edward L. Dreyzin
Second Advisor
Chao Zhu
Third Advisor
Boris Khusid
Abstract
Combustion rates and completeness of aerosolized spherical aluminum powders and flakes are compared using constant volume explosion experiments. The comparison of particles and flake sizes was made based on their specific surface areas determined using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method and respective "BET diameters". It is observed that the rates of pressure rise and rates of flame propagation were higher for aluminum powders with BET diameters of about 2 to 5 μm compared to aluminum flakes for which the BET diameters were under 1 μm In agreement with the flame propagation rates, the overall completeness of combustion was also higher for aluminum powders compared to flakes. It is suggested that aerosolized flakes could be agglomerated in gas flows more than spherical particles causing their inferior combustion performance.
Recommended Citation
Eapen, Binu Zacharia, "Combustion of aerosolized spherical aluminum powders and flakes in air" (2004). Theses. 521.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/521
