
25
2
Fundamentals
Charles E. Baukal, Jr.
2.1 Definitions
A generalized methane (CH
4
) combustion reaction may
be written as
CH xO yN
CO CO HHON NOxO trace species
422
222 22
→
(2.1)
The stoichiometry may be dened as
S
volume flow rate of Ointhe oxidizer
volume flow rate of CH
4
=
2
(2.2)
Note that this denition differs slightly from the one
commonly used in industry where the stoichiometry is
usually dened as the total oxidizer ow divided by the
fuel ow. The problem with the denition commonly used
in industry is that the stoichiometry must be recalculated
whenever the oxidizer composition changes and stoichio-
metric conditions change for ea