Experimental investigation reveals distinct combustion regimes in iron particles, suggesting new insights into metal fuel behavior.
Key Points
This investigation aims to characterize the combustion dynamics of various-sized iron particles and determine the applicability of a single power-law scaling for burn time.
Utilized a drop tube burner setup to release iron particles through a fuel-lean, laminar flat flame.
Employed high-speed imaging and PMT measurements to observe combustion dynamics across a size range of 10–250 µm.
Investigated burn time behaviors and transitions in scaling with respect to particle size.
Burn time shows a weak size dependence for particles 13 to 118 µm; indicative of rapid heating.
For particles above 118 µm, a stronger size dependence emerges due to increased internal heat conduction.
High-resolution SEM confirmed nanoparticle formation and fragmentation events during combustion.