Theory of Burning Velocity. II. The Square Root Law for Burning Velocity

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Abstract
Previous papers by the authors having suggested that the diffusion of active particles (chiefly hydrogen atoms) from the flame front is the controlling factor in combustion in Bunsen‐type burners, an equation for burning velocity based on such a concept is derived. This equation shows that the burning velocity should be proportional to the square root of an expression in which the most important factor is the sum of the products piDi for all effective atoms or free radicals, pi being the concentration of an atom or radical at the flame front, and Di its coefficient of diffusion into cold, unburnt gas. The burning velocity equation is applied to the combustion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and excellent agreement between calculated and experimental values of the burning velocity is obtained. The equation is also used to account for the effect of pressure upon burning velocity.