Combustion of a gas flowing over a catalytic flat surface: Experimental investigation of heat and mass transfer Original Research Article

An experimental investigation was conducted on the heat and mass transfer effects of combustion of a gaseous fuel at a catalyst surface. Air containing either propane or carbon monoxide was passed over a flat fin coated with an alumina/platinum catalyst. The bulk flow of gas was parallel to the surface resulting in boundary layer formation at the surface. Combustion of the fuel caused a distinct increase of fin temperature. The temperature profile across the boundary layer was measured, as was the mean fuel concentration close to the fin surface. The results demonstrate the effects, under steady state conditions, of the bulk gas properties and radiation on the fin temperature and boundary layer profiles.