The Absorptance of Infrared Radiation by Methane at Elevated Temperatures

In large-scale fires and flames, radiative transport can be an important factor determining the rate of fuel volatilization and flame spread in condensed fuels, and in general can affect the amount of soot that is produced by the flame. The radiant flux can be significantly attenuated by core hydrocarbon gases that have absorption features in the infrared. The spectral absorptance of the υ₃ (centered at approximately 3020 cm^−l) and υ₄ (centered at approximately 1306 cm^−l) fundamental bands of methane were measured at elevated temperatures. The measurements were made using a FTIR spectrometer coupled to a gas cell that was maintained at a constant temperature in a furnace. The partial pressure of the methane was varied between 5 and 95 percent, yielding pressure path lengths between 1.14 and 21.72 atm-cm. The total pressure was maintained at 1 atm. Measurements were made at temperatures between 296 and 900 K. The effect of spectral resolution on the measurements and derived parameters was examined. Spectral resolutions between 4 and 32 cm⁻¹ were used. The spectral mean parameters of line strength and line shape were determined for the Elsasser narrow band radiation model using the data taken at a resolution of 4 cm⁻¹. The band model parameters were incorporated into RADCAL, a narrow band model used to predict spectral intensity and transmittance. The results are compared with lower resolution predictions and experimental spectral transmittance data. Tabulated narrow band parameters are available on the Internet (WWW) at URL http://www.me.utexas.edu/~combust/students/paul/research.