Mechanism of Flame Propagation above the Surface of a Flammable Liquid.

Combustion of vapors of a flammable liquid whose temperature is below the flash point is under study. In this case, the flame propagates along the surface of the liquid due to being heated by combustion products. The velocities of an oxidizer moving towards the flame, which propagates at velocities comparable to the laminar burning rate of premixed hydrocarbon flames, are measured. The measurements show that the gas flow is laminar. There is a correlation established between the flash point of a flammable liquid and the flame propagation velocity. On the basis of the data obtained, it is assumed that the main mechanism of formation of a flammable mixture ahead of the combustion front is a diffusion mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]