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Neuroscience JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Experimental Methodology for Estimation of Local Heat Fluxes and Burning Rates in Steady Laminar Boundary Layer Diffusion Flames

DOI: 10.3791/54029-v
What you'll learn
  • ✓ Apply micro-thermocouple techniques to map temperature gradients in diffusion flames
  • ✓ Use Reynolds Analogy to estimate local mass burning rates from temperature data
  • ✓ Measure and calculate heat fluxes in steady laminar boundary layer flames
  • ✓ Quantify solid fuel regression rates during controlled combustion experiments
Protocol

We describe the use of micro-thermocouples to estimate local temperature gradients in steady laminar boundary layer diffusion flames. By extension of the Reynolds Analogy, local temperature gradients can be further used to estimate the local mass burning rates and heat fluxes in such flames with high accuracy.

Difficulty
advanced
Total time
~4–6 hours per sample (including setup, thermal equilibration, measurement cycles, and data acquisition)

Steps

1
Prepare materials and micro-thermocouple probes

Assemble and calibrate micro-thermocouple sensors and prepare fuel samples (e.g., PMMA) for testing. Verify thermocouple alignment and electrical connections.

▶ 00:45
2
Configure laminar diffusion flame apparatus

Set up the experimental rig with fuel supply, oxidizer delivery system, and micro-thermocouple positioning hardware. Ensure steady-state flow conditions and thermal stability.

▶ 01:47
3
Ignite fuel and stabilize flame

Initiate combustion at the fuel surface and allow the laminar boundary layer diffusion flame to reach steady-state thermal and flow conditions.

▶ 03:29
4
Measure solid fuel surface regression rate

Track the recession of the burnt fuel surface over time using ruler or position sensor to quantify mass loss and burning rate.

▶ 04:54
5
Map local temperature gradients with thermocouples

Traverse micro-thermocouple probe through the flame region at multiple heights and distances to capture detailed temperature profiles near the burning surface.

▶ 06:47
6
Analyze burning and thermal data results

Process measured temperature gradients and regression data; apply Reynolds Analogy to compute local mass burning rates and heat flux distributions.

▶ 08:25
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