The effect of water on gas phase soot formation in laminar diffusion flames

Experiments have been performed on laminar diffusion flames of mixtures of water and hydrocarbon vapor of different compositions with the mole fractions of water ranging up to about 0.9. The soot emission from the flame decreased steadily with an increase in water concentration; concurrently, there was a progressive decrease in the maximum flame temperature. It is concluded that the reduction in sooting tendency of diffusion flames with water addition is mainly a thermal effect.