Flame speeds of wood gas at ambient and engine operating conditions

The theoretical calculation of the laminar burning velocity of wood gas compnonents with full chemical and realistic diffusion are reported for the combustible gas from wood gasifier. These are preceded by validation with known results of CO-air and $H_2$-air mixtures, partly from earlier work of this lab. The mixture containing CO 19.5, $CO_2$ 12.5, $H_2$ 20, $CH_4$ 2, and $N_2$ 46% showed a flame speed of 37.3 cm/s at 1 atm and 10.2 cm/s at 10 atm (initial temperature of 298 K). The dependence of stoichiometry was also explored. Several features of the dependence of flame speed on pressure and stoichiometry are discussed. The implications of these on engine performance are presented