Influence of the aerosol formed in the fast evaporation of superheated water on the combustion of methane-air mixtures in a closed vessel

The influence of the aerosol formed in the fast evaporation of superheated water at 150$^\circ$C on the combustion of a methane-air mixture in a near-spherical closed vessel (volume 20 dm$^3$) is investigated experimentally. The concentrational limits of flame propagation and the normal combustion rate are determined as a function of the mass concentration of the water aerosol. It is found that the flegmatizing ability of the aerosol is relatively low; it is not due to the formation of fairly large water drops but practically completely to the presence of saturated water vapor. Exponential reduction in normal combustion rate of the mixture with increase in concentration of the superheated-water aerosol is observed.