Combustion processes under strong DC magnetic fields

Abstract

The effects of magnetic fields on the combustion velocities of gasoline and alcohol with platinum catalysis were studied. The place of combustion reaction of gasoline on platinum catalyst was exposed to d.c. magnetic fields with field intensities from 0.1 T to 1.0 T. The combustion velocity was influenced by the magnetic fields. The combustion velocity of gasoline decreased in 5 % - 10 % at 0.2 T and 0.6 T, and increased in 5 % - 10 % at 0.3 T, 0.5 T and 1.0 T. To explain the undulant phenomenon in the curve of combustion velocity v.s. magnetic field, various types of alcohol were burned with platinum catalysis under magnetic fields. The magnetic field effect on the combustion velocity of alcohol was observed to show a minimum at a specific magnetic field; -5.3 % at 0.9 T for methanol, -2.3 % at 0.6 T for ethanol, -16.9 % at 0.6 T for n-propanol, and -73.8 % at 0.7 T for n-butanol.