Reginald Mitchell
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Bio
Professor Mitchell's primary area of research is concerned with characterizing the physical and chemical processes that occur during the combustion and gasification of pulverized coal and biomass. Coals of interest range in rank from lignite to bituminous and biomass materials include yard waste, field and seed crop residues, lumber mill waste, fruit and nut crop residues, and municipal solid waste. Experimental and modeling studies are concerned with char reactivity to oxygen, carbon dioxide and steam, carbon deactivation during conversion, and char particle surface area evolution and mode of conversion during mass loss.
Mitchell’s most recent research has been focused on topics that will enable the development of coal and biomass conversion technologies that facilitate CO2 capture. Recent studies have involved characterizing coal and biomass conversion rates in supercritical water environments, acquiring the understanding needed to develop chemical looping combustion technology for applications to coals and biomass materials, and developing fuel cells that use coal or biomass as the fuel source. Studies concerned with characterizing coal/biomass blends during combustion and gasification processes are also underway.
Professor Mitchell retired from Stanford University in July 2020, after having served over 29 years as a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Academic Appointments
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Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council, Mechanical Engineering
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Affiliate, Precourt Institute for Energy
Administrative Appointments
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Director, High-Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory (1995 - Present)
Honors & Awards
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Tau Beta Pi Award For Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Stanford University (1994)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Vice President, Stanford Faculty Club (2012 - Present)
Professional Education
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DSci, MIT (1975)
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ScD, MIT (1975)
Patents
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Turgut Gur, Reginald Mitchell, Andrew Lee, Siwen Li. "United States Patent 8,563,183 Integrated Dry Gasification Fuel Cell System for Conversion of Solid Carbonaceous Fuels", Leland Stanford Junior University, Oct 22, 2013
2022-23 Courses
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Independent Studies (4)
- Engineering Problems and Experimental Investigation
ME 191 (Sum) - Honors Research
ME 191H (Aut, Sum) - Practical Training
ME 299A (Sum) - Practical Training
ME 299B (Sum)
- Engineering Problems and Experimental Investigation
All Publications
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Numerical approaches for thermochemical conversion of char
PROGRESS IN ENERGY AND COMBUSTION SCIENCE
2022; 91
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pecs.2022.100993
View details for Web of Science ID 000798364800002
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High Heating Rate Devolatilization Kinetics of Pulverized Biomass Fuels
ENERGY & FUELS
2018; 32 (12): 12955–61
View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.8b03100
View details for Web of Science ID 000454567000093
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Insights into Sulfur Uptake by Solid Sorbents from Fossil Fuels and Biomass: Revisiting C-H-O Ternary Diagrams
ENERGY & FUELS
2018; 32 (12): 12066–80
View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.8b02154
View details for Web of Science ID 000454567000006
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Comprehensive Char Particle Gasification Model Adequate for Entrained-Flow and Fluidized-Bed Gasifiers
ENERGY & FUELS
2017; 31 (3): 2164-2174
View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b02148
View details for Web of Science ID 000396970400008
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Impact of Co-firing Coal and Biomass on Mixed Char Reactivity under Gasification Conditions
ENERGY & FUELS
2016; 30 (3): 1708-1719
View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b02480
View details for Web of Science ID 000372562800020
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Symptomatic Myocardial Bridging in D-Transposition of the Great Arteries Post-Arterial Switch
JACC: Case Reports, Vol 8, Iss , Pp 101730- (2023)
2023
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jaccas.2022.101730
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Extension of apparent devolatilization kinetics from thermally thin to thermally thick particles in zero dimensions for woody biomass
ENERGY
2016; 95: 279-290
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2015.11.025
View details for Web of Science ID 000370308100027
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Devolatilization kinetics of woody biomass at short residence times and high heating rates and peak temperatures
APPLIED ENERGY
2016; 162: 245-256
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.09.091
View details for Web of Science ID 000367631000022
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Modeling defect transport during Cu oxidation
CORROSION SCIENCE
2015; 99: 53-65
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.corsci.2015.05.067
View details for Web of Science ID 000362619900004
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Coal and biomass char reactivities in gasification and combustion environments
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
2015; 162 (9): 3220-3235
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2015.05.009
View details for Web of Science ID 000360779100008
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Modeling radiation in particle clouds: on the importance of inter-particle radiation for pulverized solid fuel combustion
HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
2015; 51 (7): 991-999
View details for DOI 10.1007/s00231-014-1472-4
View details for Web of Science ID 000354618800010
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A comprehensive model for char particle conversion in environments containing O-2 and CO2
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
2015; 162 (4): 1455-1463
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2014.11.015
View details for Web of Science ID 000351794100048
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An experimental study of the reactivity of cellulosic-based chars from wastes
FUEL
2014; 130: 306-314
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.fuel.2014.04.033
View details for Web of Science ID 000336035600040
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The conversion mode of a porous carbon particle during oxidation and gasification
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
2014; 161 (2): 612-619
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.09.012
View details for Web of Science ID 000330094800021
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Modeling Power Production in a Tubular Carbon Fuel Cell
IONIC AND MIXED CONDUCTING CERAMICS 9
2014; 61 (1): 235-243
View details for DOI 10.1149/06101.0235ecst
View details for Web of Science ID 000339378600023
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Modeling of experimental results for carbon utilization in a carbon fuel cell
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
2013; 228: 132-140
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.11.073
View details for Web of Science ID 000315318700017
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DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM FOR THE STUDY OF SOLID FUEL CONVERSION UNDER SUPERCRITICAL WATER CONDITIONS
ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2013: 993–1003
View details for Web of Science ID 000350070400112
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Oxy-combustion of solid fuels in a carbon fuel cell
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
2013; 34: 3445-3452
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.proci.2012.07.059
View details for Web of Science ID 000313131800178
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Characterizing char particle fragmentation during pulverized coal combustion
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
2013; 34: 2461-2469
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.proci.2012.07.065
View details for Web of Science ID 000313131800066
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Modeling Heat Transfer Effects In a Solid Oxide Carbon Fuel Cell
Symposium on Batteries and Energy Technol Joint Gen Sess in Honor of James McBreen held during the PRiME Joint Int Meeting of the Electrochem-Soc and the Electrochem-Soc-of-Japan
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 2013: 143–50
View details for DOI 10.1149/05045.0143ecst
View details for Web of Science ID 000338129100014
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Model of Carbon Utilization in a Carbon Fuel Cell
International Symposia on Electrochemical Utilization of Solid Fuels
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 2012: 45–55
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3697428
View details for Web of Science ID 000354618600004
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Hydrogen and Electricity from Carbon in a Coupled Steam-Carbon-Air Fuel Cell
International Symposia on Electrochemical Utilization of Solid Fuels
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 2012: 69–80
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3697430
View details for Web of Science ID 000354618600006
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Viability of Coupled Steam-Carbon-Air Fuel Cell Concept for Spontaneous Co-Production of Hydrogen and Electrical Power
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
2012; 159 (12): F810-F818
View details for DOI 10.1149/2.032212jes
View details for Web of Science ID 000312233500063
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Experimental and Modeling Study of Biomass Conversion in a Solid Carbon Fuel Cell
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
2012; 159 (3): B347-B354
View details for DOI 10.1149/2.096203jes
View details for Web of Science ID 000299292100037
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Coal and Biomass Utilization in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
International Symposia on Electrochemical Utilization of Solid Fuels
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 2012: 3–28
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3697425
View details for Web of Science ID 000354618600001
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Feasibility of hydrogen production in a steam-carbon electrochemical cell
17th International Conference on Solid State Ionics
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2011: 607–10
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ssi.2010.05.034
View details for Web of Science ID 000292848800128
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Steam-Carbon Fuel Cell Concept for Cogeneration of Hydrogen and Electrical Power
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
2011; 158 (5): B505-B513
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3560475
View details for Web of Science ID 000288867700035
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Biomass Conversion in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
12th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 2011: 2685–92
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3570267
View details for Web of Science ID 000300770105020
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Chemical kinetics of copper oxide reduction with carbon monoxide
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
2011; 33: 2803-2810
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.proci.2010.06.080
View details for Web of Science ID 000285629000133
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Carbon-Free Hydrogen Production in a Steam-Carbon Electrochemical Cell
Symposium on Electrochemical Technologies for Hydrogen Production held during the 217th Meeting of the Electrochemical-Society
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 2010: 67–76
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.3501096
View details for Web of Science ID 000315446500006
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Thermodynamic analysis of gasification-driven direct carbon fuel cells
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
2009; 194 (2): 774-785
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.05.039
View details for Web of Science ID 000270620500024
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Modeling of CO2 Gasification of Carbon for Integration with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
AICHE JOURNAL
2009; 55 (4): 983-992
View details for DOI 10.1002/aic.11713
View details for Web of Science ID 000264710100011
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Modeling char oxidation behavior under Zone II burning conditions at elevated pressures
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
2009; 156 (1): 37-50
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2008.06.015
View details for Web of Science ID 000262455500007
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Direct carbon conversion in a helium fluidized bed fuel cell
16th International Conference on Solid State Ionics
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2008: 1549–52
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ssi.2007.11.006
View details for Web of Science ID 000259276200060
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The impact of the distributions of surface oxides and their migration on characterization of the heterogeneous carbon-oxygen reaction
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
2008; 154 (1-2): 47-66
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2007.11.002
View details for Web of Science ID 000257174900004
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Conversion of solid carbonaceous fuels in a fluidized bed fuel cell
ELECTROCHEMICAL AND SOLID STATE LETTERS
2008; 11 (2): B20-B23
View details for DOI 10.1149/1.2821136
View details for Web of Science ID 000251907400004
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On the burning behavior of pulverized coal chars
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
2007; 151 (3): 426-436
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.combustflame.2007.07.014
View details for Web of Science ID 000250361800003
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Characterization of coal char and biomass char reactivities to oxygen
29th International Combustion Symposium
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2002: 519–526
View details for Web of Science ID 000182866100063
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An intrinsic kinetics-based, particle-population balance model for char oxidation during pulverized coal combustion
28th International Symposium on Combustion
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2000: 2261–2270
View details for Web of Science ID 000169870400095
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Release of inorganic material during coal devolatilization
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1997; 108 (4): 494-502
View details for Web of Science ID A1997WK66200008
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Nitrogen release during coal combustion
ENERGY & FUELS
1996; 10 (1): 188-196
View details for Web of Science ID A1996TR49500024
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The impact of fragmentation on char conversion during pulverized coal combustion
TWENTY-SIXTH SYMPOSIUM (INTERNATIONAL) ON COMBUSTION, VOLS 1 AND 2
1996: 3137-3144
View details for Web of Science ID 000083308500370
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The temperature, burning rates and char character of pulverised coal particles prepared from maceral concentrates
Twenty-Fourth Symposium on Combustion
1992: 1207–1215
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80142-6
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THE RELEASE OF IRON DURING THE COMBUSTION OF ILLINOIS NO-6 COAL
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1992; 88 (1): 1-14
View details for Web of Science ID A1992HB10000001
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Unified high-temperature char combustion kinetics for a suite of coals of various rank
Twenty-Fourth Symposium on Combustion
1992: 1243–1250
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80146-3
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On the combustion kinetics of heterogeneous char particle populations
Twenty-Fourth Symposium on Combustion
1992: 1233–1241
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80145-1
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The release of iron during the combustion of Illinois No. 6 coal
Combustion and Flame
1992; 88 (1): 1-14
View details for DOI 10.1016/0010-2180(92)90002-7
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ON THE COMBUSTION KINETICS OF HETEROGENEOUS CHAR PARTICLE-POPULATIONS
AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 1991: 26-FUEL
View details for Web of Science ID A1991HG08001809
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The effect of CO conversion in the boundary layers surrounding pulverized-coal char particles
Twenty-Third Symposium (International) on Combustion
1991: 1169–1176
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80377-2
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Variations in the temperatures of coal-char particles during combustion: A consequence of particle-to-particle variations in ASH-content
Twenty-Third Symposium (International) on Combustion
1991: 297–1304
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80393-0
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RATES AND MECHANISMS OF COMBUSTION OF PULVERIZED COAL CHARS
1989 REVIEW MEETING OF THE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT DIRECT UTILIZATION, AND INSTRUMENTATION AND DIAGNOSTICS CONTRACTORS
US DEPT ENERGY. 1989: 33–42
View details for Web of Science ID A1989BQ68T00003
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THE INFLUENCE OF THE MINERAL MATTER CONTENT OF COAL ON THE TEMPERATURES AND BURNING RATES OF CHAR PARTICLES DURING PULVERIZED COAL COMBUSTION
6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PITTSBURGH COAL CONF
UNIV PITTSBURGH SCHOOL ENGN. 1989: 32–41
View details for Web of Science ID A1989BQ62Y00003
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THE RELEASE OF IRON DURING THE COMBUSTION OF ILLINOIS =6 COAL
6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PITTSBURGH COAL CONF
UNIV PITTSBURGH SCHOOL ENGN. 1989: 64–73
View details for Web of Science ID A1989BQ62Y00006
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NUMERICAL-SOLUTION OF 2-DIMENSIONAL AXISYMMETRIC LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAMES
COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1989; 67 (4-6): 85-122
View details for Web of Science ID A1989CL66900002
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NUMERICAL-SOLUTION OF CONFINED AXISYMMETRIC LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAMES
2ND WORKSHOP ON ADAPTIVE COMPUTATIONAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SIAM. 1989: 125–150
View details for Web of Science ID A1989BP76R00010
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EVIDENCE FOR FORMATION OF CO2 IN THE VICINITY OF BURNING PULVERIZED CARBON PARTICLES
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1988; 74 (1): 91-106
View details for Web of Science ID A1988Q166700008
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Experimentally determined overall burning rates of pulverized-coal chars in specified O2 and CO2 environments
Twenty-First Symposuim (International on Combustion)
1988: 173–181
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(88)80244-3
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Solution of Two-Dimensional Axisymmetric Laminar Diffusion Flames by Adaptive Boundary Value Methods
Mathematical Modeling in Combustion and Related Topics
1988: 261–300
View details for DOI 10.1007/978-94-009-2770-4_17
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EXPERIMENTALLY DETERMINED OVERALL BURNING RATES OF COAL CHARS
COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1987; 53 (2-3): 165-186
View details for Web of Science ID A1987J306200005
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DETERMINATION OF OVERALL KINETIC RATES AND OXYGEN REACTION ORDER FOR SARAN CHAR COMBUSTION
AMER CHEMICAL SOC. 1986: 2-FUEL
View details for Web of Science ID A1986A474101226
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Simultaneous in situ measurement of the size, temperature and velocity of particles in a combustion environment
Twentieth Symposium (International) on Combustion
1985: 1213–1221
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(85)80610-X
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OPTICALLY DETERMINED TEMPERATURES, SIZES, AND VELOCITIES OF INDIVIDUAL CARBON PARTICLES UNDER TYPICAL COMBUSTION CONDITIONS
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1985; 60 (2): 183-193
View details for Web of Science ID A1985AHA7500006
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TEMPERATURE-MEASUREMENTS OF SINGLE PULVERIZED-FUEL PARTICLES BY 2-COLOR PYROMETRY
ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. 1983: C106–C106
View details for Web of Science ID A1983QF82600523
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Toward a comprehensive chemical kinetic mechanism for the oxidation of acetylene: Comparison of model predictions with results from flame and shock tube experiments
Nineteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion
1982
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(82)80189-6
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On the temperature and reaction rate of burning pulverized fuels
Nineteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion
1982: 1113–1122
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(82)80287-7
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PARTIAL EQUILIBRIUM IN THE REACTION ZONE OF METHANE-AIR DIFFUSION FLAMES
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1980; 37 (2): 201-206
View details for Web of Science ID A1980JJ64900009
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EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF CONFINED LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAMES
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1980; 37 (3): 227-244
View details for Web of Science ID A1980JL68700002
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NITRIC-OXIDE AND HYDROGEN-CYANIDE FORMATION IN LAMINAR METHANE-AIR DIFFUSION FLAMES
COMBUSTION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1980; 21 (3-4): 157-167
View details for Web of Science ID A1980JK75900008
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COMPARISON OF RAMAN AND THERMOCOUPLE TEMPERATURE-MEASUREMENTS IN FLAMES
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1979; 35 (2): 207-211
View details for Web of Science ID A1979GX46500010
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Overall kinetic parameters for combustion of a highly non-spherical carbon char
Twenty-Second Symposium (International) on Combustion
: 17–27
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(89)80007-4
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On the products of the heterogeneous oxidation reaction at the surfaces of burning coal char particles
Twenty-Second Symposium (International) on Combustion
: 69–78
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(89)80012-8
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NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF A CONFINED LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAME
Elliptic Problem Solvers Conference
1984: 557–568
View details for DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-100560-3.50043-3