Publications

On chain branching and its role in homogeneous ignition and premixed flame propagation

Lee, J.C.; Najm, H.N.; Lefantzi, S.; Ray, J.; Frenklach, M.; Valorani, M.; Goussis, D.A.

The role of chain branching in a chemical kinetic system was investigated by analyzing the eigenvalues of the system. We found that in the homogeneous ignition of the hydrogen/air and methane/air mixtures, the branching mechanism gives rise to explosive modes (eigenvalues with positive real parts) in the induction period as expected; however, in their respective premixed flames, we found none. Thus, their existence is not a necessary condition for the propagation of a premixed flame. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd.