MELTING AND REGRESSION OF PARAFFIN SAMPLES IN HOT AIR FLOW

Experiments on the melting and regression of a slab-shaped paraffin sample in a hot gas flow are conducted in a wide range of gas temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate in order to establish a parametric dependence of the regression rate on the operating conditions and process parameters. In some tests, ignition of the fuel vapor and droplets occurred; however, the combustion zone was localized behind the sample, and the gas conditions above the sample were controlled by the inlet gas temperature and flow rate. The measured regression rate is approximated by a bilinear function of the temperature and mass flow rate, with the mean absolute percentage error of 7.5%. A simple analytical model for the regression rate is developed under the assumption of thermal balance between the heat flux and melting rate, as the governing condition. Adequacy of the model is demonstrated by comparing its predictions with the experimental data obtained, as well as with the literature data.