Determination of positive-ion mobilities and collision cross sections in flame gases using electrostatic probes

Abstract

It is shown theoretically that it is possible to derive the positive-ion mobility, in addition to the positive-ion concentration, from double-probe current-voltage characteristics. The method is applied to the measurement of chemi-ion mobilities and collision cross sections in methane-air flames. The values so obtained, along with those obtained by other workers, which include also results for flames seeded with metallic salts, are reviewed. In the course of the investigations, values of electron temperature were obtained that were corrected for any shift of plasma potential. These values were in accord with previous theoretical predictions.