The Extinction of Low Strain Rate Diffusion Flames by a Suppressant

This paper describes plans for an experimental and computational study on the structure and extinction of low strain rate diffusion flames by a suppressant added to the oxidizer stream. Stable low strain rate flames will be established through ground based reduced gravity experiments using the 2.2 s drop tower. A variety of agents will be investigated, including both physically and chemically acting agents (He, N2, CO2, and CF3Br) for flames burning methane and propane. A computational model of flame structure and extinction will be modified to include radiative losses, which is thought to be a significant heat loss mechanism at low strain rates.