Quantitative detection of radicals and intermediate species in atmospheric pressure slot burners relevant to NO/sub x/ chemistry

Summary form only given, as follows. In the present study profiles of radicals NH and CN as well as of formaldehyde (H/sub 2/CO) were determined in an atmospheric pressure idealized slot burner using laser-induced fluorescence detection. The burner consisted of a 7 slot assembly mounted at the exit of a rectangular flow channel (0.1×0.1 m/sup 2/). Its construction resembled as closely as possible a configurations for a commercial household boiler appliance. Optical access of the individual flame zones was possible via four quart windows mounted between slot opening and a commercial heat exchanger. The burner was operated for five test cases with primary and secondary aeration, volumetric flow rates, fuel composition (pure methane or natural gas) and flame shape as variable parameters. The boiler was fully characterized through thermocouple and CARS temperature measurements through the flame front along the central flow axis as well as exhaust gas compositions determined by standard probe sampling techniques.